Mohawk Residential Carpet Maintenance and Care
Carpet Care and Guidelines
This guide can be applied to Smartstrand, SmartStrand Silk, UltraStrand, and EverStrand
A) Selection
• When selecting carpet color, you should view large
carpet samples during the day and by lamplight in the
evening in the area of installation. The color you choose
will look different under different lighting conditions.
• Light colored carpets will show more soil and require more
maintenance than dark colored carpets. Darker colors of
carpeting are more effective in high traffic areas. Multicolored
and patterned carpets are especially effective in hiding soil.
• The performance and quality of a carpet is directly related
to the amount and quality of fiber that goes into the pile.
The better the fiber and the denser it is packed, the better
the carpet’s performance. Thin, less dense carpet will
lose its surface appearance faster. Mohawk recommends
buying the highest quality carpet you can afford.
B) Stain Removal
Most household spills can be easily removed using the steps
below. Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately
upon discovery as stain removal becomes more difficult with time.
To start, locate your stain on the Common Stains Chart and follow
these steps:
• First, use a spoon, dull knife, or a carpet cleaning key
to remove as much solid material as possible.
• Always work from the outside of stain to the center
to prevent spreading, especially with large stains.
• Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
• For best results try to remove the remaining stain
with warm water.
PROCEDURE A (For water-based, special
water-based and greasy, oil-based stains)
• Mix a solution of ¼ teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing
detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
• Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth.
Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area
with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
• Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently.
• Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet
fibers. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution
to the base of the stain. Do not oversaturate carpet;
use small amounts of solution and blot frequently.
• Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear,
lukewarm water to rinse.
• Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel
or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
• Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are
sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
• If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white
towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and
weigh towels down with a heavy colorfast object,
such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
• Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
• If stain remains, perform Procedure B (for coffee, tea or
urine, skip Procedure B and perform Procedure C).
PROCEDURE B (Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains)
• Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing
household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot
as outlined in Procedure A.
• Do not dry with paper towels. Follow Procedure
C to neutralize the ammonia solution.
PROCEDURE C
• Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
• Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined
in Procedure A
Most Common Water-Based Stains
For these stains, start with Procedure A. If stain remains, complete
Procedures B and C.
Alcohol
Baby formula
Beer
Blood
Candy
Chocolate milk
Clay
Cola
Cologne
Cranberry juice
Feces
Felt-tip marker
Food stains (general)
Fruit juice
Fruit punch
Furniture polish
(water-based)
Grape juice
Graphite
Ice cream
Jelly
Ketchup
Latex paint
Liquor
Milk
Soft drinks
Soil spots
Syrup
Tomato juice
Vomit
Watercolors
Watermelon
Whiskey
Wine
Special Water-Based Stains
For these stains, start with Procedure A. If stain remains, complete
Procedure C. Omit Procedure B.
Coffee
Tea
Urine
Greasy, Oil-Based Stains
For these stains, use Goo Gone®
. Follow directions on package,
then complete Procedures A, B and C.
Butter
Chocolate
Cooking oil
Cosmetics
Crayon
Furniture dye
Furniture polish
(oil-based)
Glue*
Gravy
Grease (black)
Gum*
Hand cream
Ink
Lipstick
Margarine
Mascara
Mayonnaise
Nail polish
Oil
Oil paint
Ointment
Peanut butter
Rouge
Salad dressing
Spaghetti
Varnish
Wax*
*Freeze and remove solid materials before using cleaning fluid.
Important: Do not use any cleaner with a pH of 10 or higher. Before
using, always test cleaners on a small, non-visible area for any
discoloration of the pile.
Abnormally large or excessive stains may require hot water
extraction method. Professional cleaning is recommended. If
stain returns— a condition known as “wicking”— simply repeat
stain removal procedures, paying special attention to blotting and
removal of all moisture.
If these processes do not correct the problem, or if you have
a stain emergency, contact the Scotchgard Service Center at
1-800-433-3296 for further assistance.
C) Regular Vacuuming
Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard, dry particles, which can
be removed with a vacuum cleaner. When left in the carpet, these gritty,
sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming literally
extends your carpet’s life as well as enhancing its appearance, so the type
of vacuum cleaner you use is important.
A vacuum’s performance will vary based on the carpet’s fiber type and
construction. A good vacuum typically has features that allow you to adjust
the height, beater bar rotation, and fan speed. Vacuums with large wheels,
self-propelled vacuums, and/or specialty tools can also help ensure easy
and effective carpet maintenance.
Features
Adjustable height is the most important feature because this enables the
machine to be used on a wide variety of carpet constructions. If your
vacuum is set too high above the carpet surface, the vacuum can’t attract
the gritty soil below. If the setting is too low, the vacuum’s beater bar or
brushes can “fuzz” the carpet’s surface, causing it to look worn and frayed.
When vacuuming high pile, wool, wool-blend, and premium soft carpets,
look for the following features that will allow you to easily maintain your
carpet:
• Adjustable Height
Use the highest setting where appropriate.
• Efficient Airflow
Avoid vacuums with very concentrated or sealed suction.
• Large Wheels
Vacuum should glide easily across the carpet.
When vacuuming thick loop, casual frieze, or long pile carpets such as
shag, you may need to completely disengage the beater bar and vacuum
with suction only. For all other carpet constructions, use a vacuum with a
rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often and check the beater
bars for burs and gouges to prevent damage to the surface of the carpet.
D) Cleaning Recommendations
Vacuum high-traffic areas daily, medium to high traffic areas twice
weekly and the entire house at least once a week with a vacuum that
carries the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval.
(Visit www.carpet-rug.org for a complete list of certified products.)
• Even with regular vacuuming, soil particles and oily dirt will
cling to carpet fibers. Foot traffic drives these particles and dirt
deep into the carpet. Mohawk requires professional hot water
extraction every 18 months using cleaning products, equipment,
or systems that carry the CRI Seal of Approval. (Visit
www.carpet-rug.org for a complete list of certified products.)
Periodic cleaning by a certified carpet-care professional using
the hot water extraction method will refresh carpet appearance.
• The most used areas— entrances, doorways, traffic
lanes and in front of chairs—will collect dirt faster than
other areas. Clean these areas as soon as they begin
to show soil. This will stop dirt from spreading and will
extend the time between professional cleanings.
