Customer Service: Maintenance Tips Flooring Maintenance Carpet Cleaning Tips: The following cleaning tips are recommended to maintain a longer lasting carpet. Place walk-in mats near the entrances and keep them cleaned often. This will reduce soiling due to any oils, grease, and other substances tracked in from outside. Vacuum your carpet often. Especially in high traffic areas. Frequent vacuuming prolongs the life of the carpet and enhances the original appearance of the carpet. Use a vacuum with a beater bar and brush. When vacuuming change direction of the machine often, to get all angles of the carpet clean. Proper maintenance of the vacuum is just as important as cleaning the carpet. Make sure you replace the bag as needed, and adjust the height of the machine to the height of the carpet. Periodic professional cleaning is recommended to prolong the life of your carpet. This should be done, on average, at least once every two years. When choosing a professional carpet cleaning service, always ask for references, and check them. Insist on a visual inspection of your carpet by the cleaning service before a price is quoted. Hardwood Flooring General Information A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage in wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions. A humidity level of 44-55% is recommended. Spike or stiletto heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build. Care & Cleaning Never clean or wet mop your hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water. This may ruin your flooring. Water can dull the finish of the hardwood and permanently damage the floor. If your hardwood flooring is near a door that exits to the outside use walk-in mats to help prevent moisture and dirt tracking on your flooring. You may also want to use an area rug on your hardwood floor to further prevent any dirt or moisture getting on your flooring. Be careful not to use rubber, foam, or plastic backs to the rugs, they may discolor the flooring. Use an approved vinyl rug underlay from a reputable manufacturer. Move area rugs occasionally for they may block sunlight, which can give a discolored look under the rug. Use floor protectors on furniture to prevent damage from casters and furniture. Vinyl Flooring Moving appliances, chairs, etc. When moving appliances or heavy furniture, lay a plywood panel on your floor and "walk" the item across it. This protects your floor from scuffing and tears. Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce indentation. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed. Be careful with rolling casters. They can damage the floor. Therefore, we do not recommend them. (If you still choose to use them, the double wheel type is the best option.) For tables and chairs, felt pads are strongly recommended under the feet to control scuffing. Care & Cleaning Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove any loose dirt which can scratch your floor. Do not use vacuums with a beater bar, they can visibly damage the flooring. Wipe up any spills immediately. Use your floor manufacturers recommended cleaning supplies, for they will be able to customize to the care you need to clean your flooring. Do not use any detergents, abrasive cleaner, or "mop and shine" products. These may leave a dull film on your vinyl floor. To renew the shine of your vinyl, use the manufacturers recommended floor polish.