Commercial carpet
is a
sizeable investment. Naturally, you want your carpet to remain
attractive and highly functional long after it is installed. A
well programmed maintenance schedule will extend your carpets
performance, appearance and life.
According to carpet manufacturer The Mohawk
Group, vacuuming is the most effective way to remove soil. How
often you vacuum is influenced by soil type and traffic
patterns. Soiling at entry areas and ground floors has high
levels of dirt and sand, while executive offices generally are
not as heavily traveled and will require less frequent
vacuuming.
Personnel should be trained on proper vacuuming
methods and techniques. They include the following:
A slow pass against the carpet pile is more
effective than several quick strokes;
Heavy traffic areas may require multiple
passes (forward and backward)
to
sufficiently extract embedded soil;
A vacuum brush will open up the tufts;
Agitation will loosen the soil;
Slow movement allows time for air to circulate
through the face yarn and extract soil.
Recommended Equipment
Two-Motor Upright Vacuum with
Rotary Brush:
Proper vacuum set up should
extend the rotary brushes 1/8 below the casing;
Periodically check brushes
for wear;
For maximum efficiency,
change disposable bag when it is half full.
When a vacuum bag is over half
full it loses 80 percent efficiency.
Carpet is more efficiently
cleaned when using a vacuum with a beater bar. Heavy commercial
traffic: The classification of heavy commercial traffic refers
to public spaces such as main corridors, lobby and entrance
areas, vending machine areas, airports, casinos, assisted living
and retail facilities.
Medium commercial traffic
areas are those that must withstand high foot traffic such as
school corridors and classrooms, administrative and general
office areas.
Light commercial traffic areas
include executive offices, boardrooms and conference rooms.
Traffic is minimal, thus reducing the soil in this area.
A well-planned maintenance
program includes regular interim and deep cleaning methods, such
as pile lifting and vacuuming, wet or dry spot cleaning and dry
cleaning or hot water extraction in high traffic areas.
For interim cleaning there are
many dry cleaning methods available in the marketplace.
Mohawk suggests that you
analyze several methods for effectiveness and cost, to determine
which best suits your facility.
An effective dry cleaning
method involves the application of a dry cleaning
substance that dissolves and absorbs both water and oil based
soils, holding them until they are removed by vacuuming. The
cleaning agent contacts all surfaces of the soiled carpet
fibers, breaking down the bond that causes the soil to stick to
the carpet fibers.
Thoroughly pre-vacuum all
areas, paying particular attention to the heavily soiled areas.
Apply cleaner only to soiled
areas.
Brush the cleaner gently
through the carpet to remove stains and soil.
Vacuum up the loose soil and
the cleaning agent. ❑
