The Joy of a New Rug or Carpeting
Elte could not be happier to have helped you select a beautiful long-lasting addition to your home. You may notice a thing or two that you may not have expected. Most of these are just part of the natural process of your new carpet making itself at home.
Let's take a trip into the future of your new household investment to tell you how to handle the inevitable surprises you and your carpet will encounter as you face the challenges of daily life - children, pets, wine and cheese parties, and those neighbours whose first foot in the door is covered with mud. Because Elte knows you care about your carpet, we'll help you become an expert in its care.
Cleaning Your Rug
Elte does not offer cleaning services ourselves for area rugs. We recommend Master Carpet Cleaning if you are looking for a cleaning service. However, we are not affiliated with this company and do not guarantee their results.
"My New Carpet is Acting Funny"
Here are a few of the things you may notice soon after your carpet is installed.. Most of the following situations are perfectly normal and can be dealt with simply and directly. If you should have any questions or concerns please contact your Elte salesperson or Elte Customer Service for further assistance.
Shedding Carpet
Those balls of fluff you may find on the surface of your carpet or in your vacuum cleaner don't mean that your carpet is going to pieces. Most carpets retain some loose fibres after they leave the factory and our showroom. These fibres make their way to the surface and may take a while to work themselves out completely. How long this takes depends on the particular fibre construction of your carpet. Before long you'll find that the problem has vanished.
Sprouting Carpet
Your carpet may "sprout" a loose tuft that seems to grow above the surface. If this happens, simply snip the offending end even with the surface. Please do not yank out long or loose ends! That can damage the carpet permanently.
Shading Carpet
You may notice some colour variations in different areas of your carpet or one area may appear to change colour when viewed from different angles. Your carpet is not changing colour, it's just part of the natural beauty of plush carpet where light reflects unevenly as the pile moves in different directions. Foot traffic generally causes this, and the best solution is to vacuum the pile in a uniform direction.
Rippling Carpet
If your carpet is rippling, the culprit is usually humidity. This situation usually resolves itself, as the carpet settles into its new home. If this happens in a dry atmosphere, it may be necessary to have the carpet professionally restretched.
Pressure Marks
These are marks which appear two or three feet across the width of the carpet or 18" from the wall. Don't be alarmed! The carpet is not damaged. These are called pressure bands (or pressure marks) and they will work themselves out in time by vacuuming. If they don't, please call your salesperson, who will arrange to have them steamed out.
Static Electricity
This is just one of life's little electrifying moments. When the relative humidity in your home is low, a static charge can build up in your carpet as you walk across it. Then, when you touch something made of metal, you get a shock. There are commercially available products you can apply to your carpet to reduce or eliminate static electric build up. Patience is also a good remedy, because as time goes by your carpet will hold less static charge.
Crushing
Unless you plan to live without furniture, your carpet will display crushing in spots where heavy objects such as sofas and shelving units are located. To raise the pile back to its former proud height, you'll have to do some vigorous brushing. If the indentations are particularly stubborn, you can try passing a hot steam iron over them - but no closer than six inches above the carpet.
Missing Tufts
If a tuft becomes snagged or worked loose, just cut it off and let the surrounding yarn fill in the space. If you're not satisfied, call us and we'll handle this problem for you.
Vacuuming Advice
Regular vacuuming is the key to keeping your new carpet young, fresh and beautiful. Dirt and grit can accumulate in your carpet and become embedded in the pile where they will affect your carpet's colour and cause matting of the pile.
You'll want to vacuum heavy-traffic areas daily, if possible, and less heavily used areas can be maintained with once-a-week vacuuming. For best results use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar or rotating brush and plenty of suction for cut pile carpets only.
For Handmade carpets and area rugs, Loop Pile, Berber, and Needlepoint broadloom carpets, use a flat stainless steel nozzle that doesn't have a lot of bristles. A beater bar or attachments with teeth or ridges is not recommended.
It is a good idea to use your vacuum in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure you've adjusted the attachments to the proper heights for your carpet.
Vacuuming should be done slowly - about three passes over the area for a light cleaning and seven passes where there's more soil. And remember, when you're vacuuming, you're adding life to your carpet.
Give Your Carpet a Break
Redistributing the load your carpet bears can do it a world of good and lengthen its life, thereby helping to protect your investment. A room-sized rug can simply be turned around. A room with wall to wall carpeting should have the furniture rearranged periodically to give certain areas a rest.
Don't Let Your Carpet Fade From Memory
There are two reasons your carpet may fade. One is due to the effects of direct sunlight and can be lessened with the use of curtains, drapes or shades. Airborne particles, dirt, soot and rust can also settle into your carpet unnoticed and cause fading over time. Regular vacuuming will help prevent fading. If you notice fading, a thorough cleaning is called for. Please do not delay, as the problem will worsen over time.
How to Clean Your Carpets
Let's face it, regardless of how often you vacuum, eventually you're going to see the need for a thorough heavy duty cleaning of your carpet. Here are a few do's and don'ts.
DO
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Call Elte and speak with your salesperson before you try commercially available do-it-yourself methods. You must know the carpet type and fibre construction before cleaning. We can advise you of the best method.
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Before applying any chemical product to your carpet, it is always a good idea to test the solution on a small inconspicuous area, perhaps in a closet. If the solution does stain the carpet, it will remain unnoticed.
DON'T
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Do not use alkaline soaps.
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Do not use ammonia.
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Do not use cleaning fluids meant to be used on wood, tile or hard surfaces as these will damage your carpet.
Type of Treatment
Here are some details about spot cleaning. Please be sure to follow the suggestion in the order indicated.
- Alcoholic Beverages: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Bleach: Cold Water Followed By Ammonia Solution++
- Blood: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Butter: Solvent Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Candle Wax: Absorbent paper and hot iron
- Chewing Gum: Chill with Aerosol Freezing Agent or Ice Cubes in a Plastic Bag and Pick Off Followed By Use a Solvent**
- Chocolate: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Ammonia Solution++ Followed By Vinegar Solution+
- Coffee: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Solvent**
- Colas & Soft Drinks: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Cooking Oils: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Cream: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Solvent**
- Egg: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Excrement: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Ammonia Solution++
- Felt Tip Pen: Warm Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Clear Nail Polish Remover (preferably Acetone)
- Floor Wax: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Fruit Juice: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Furniture Polish: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Ammonia Solution++
- Gravy & Sauces: Warm Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Ink (Fountain Pen): Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Ink (Ball Point): Solvent** Followed By Alcohol or Methylated Spirits Mineral Turpentine Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Ketchup: Warm Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Lipstick: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Mercurochrome: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Ammonia Solution++ Followed By Vinegar Solution+
- Milk: Warm Water Followed By Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Mustard: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Nail Polish: Clear Nail Polish Remover (preferably Acetone) Followed By Solvent**
- Oil & Grease: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Paint (Latex): Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Solvent**
- Paint (Oil): Alcohol or Methylated Spirits Mineral Turpentine Followed By Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Rust: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Rust Remover
- Salad Dressing: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Solvent**
- Shoe Polish: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Soot: Solvent** Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Ammonia Solution++
- Tar: Solvent**
- Tea: Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Solvent**
- Urine (Fresh): Cold Water Followed By Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Urine (Old): Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo* Followed By Ammonia Solution++ Followed By Vinegar Solution+
- Vomit: Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
- Wine: Absorbent power (e.g. salt, talc or proprietary absorbent powders) Followed By Water and then Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo
- Unknown Material: Solvent** Followed By Absorbent Cleaner Followed by Detergent Solution or Carpet Shampoo*
* Carpet Shampoo Solution - mix one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid or detergent powder (containing no bleaches or strong alkalines) with a cup of warm (not hot) water. This solution must be rinsed well with clear water
** Solvent - a Dry Cleaning Solvent (available at most grocery stores, drug and hardware stores)
+ Vinegar solution - mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water
++ Ammonia solution - mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia (3% solution) with 1/2 cup water
A Final Word
Be assured you have received the finest professional advice in the carpet industry. You have purchased a carpet that Elte believes to be well designed, carefully manufactured and representative of the best value available.
The Elte Gurantee
For one year from the date of installation, we are prepared to fix any installation problems that might arise with your new carpet, free of charge.
Anytime after that one year period we will make any necessary repairs for a nominal service charge. Your salesperson has described the limitations, as well as the advantages, of your carpet. Please remember only superb maintenance will keep a white or yellow carpet from soiling. Floppy, casual carpets will crush and show traffic patterns. Some carpets have heavy initial fuzz. Fine velvets or plushes will show footprints or shading.
You have purchased your carpet from a company with an important reputation to preserve. Be assured that you have had expert professional help at each step and you have the assurance that we stand behind every product we sell.
Since 1919, Elte has earned and maintained a reputation for excellence in carpeting. Every day we strive to improve upon it.
Sisal and Coir Care
Maintenance and Cleaning
Please Note: Both Coir and Sisal Mattings are relatively easy to maintain. The hard, natural vegetable fibres do not attract dust, and bacteria cannot penetrate the fibres. Sand and fine dirt do not damage Coir and Sisal Mattings as they do pile floor coverings; the soil filters through the weave, rather than sitting on the surface. Both Coir and Sisal are tough natural fibres which are less vulnerable to abrasion, if regularly vacuumed.
Fibre Characteristics
Coir Mattings are made from selected handspun Coir yarns extracted from the tough fibrous husks which surround the coconut. Sisal Mattings are made of yarns spun from the Sisal fibres extracted from the long spike-shaped leaves of the tropical Sisal plant. As with other yarns made of natural vegetable fibres, both Coir and Sisal have variations in size and shade and have a tendency to return to their original colour after exposure to sunlight. Slight weaving and shade irregularities are characteristics of Coir and Sisal Mattings. Shade difference between areas of matting exposed/unexposed to sunlight may be apparent (underneath furniture, behind picture hangings, etc.). Fading due to direct exposure to sunlight is even, resembling the tones of unfinished wood.
Vacuuming
Regular, frequent vacuuming is the most important thing that can be done to prolong the life and beauty of Coir and Sisal Mattings. The keys to effective vacuuming are using the proper equipment and techniques. The equipment should have both strong suction and a brushing action. These can be found in both upright models and canister types with power nozzles. In both styles, it is important to have "all brush" roller-bars, rather than "beater bars". Equally as important as the equipment is the vacuuming technique. Because of the unevenness of the surface, it is important to make several passes over each area from different directions - some North-South, some East-West. Extra vacuum strokes should be made in high traffic areas. Although the need may not always be visible, frequent and regular vacuuming will increase the matting life by preventing soil build-up.
Low Humidity Locations
Locations in very dry climates, humidity-lowered rooms, near heat outlets, or in heavy traffic areas can cause Coir and Sisal Mattings to become unusually dry. In these circumstances a light, even application of clean water, periodically, on clean, vacuumed mattings can strengthen the fibres and prolong durability. A plant mister or spray bottle should give appropriate light sprinkling. Under no circumstances should mattings be saturated or undesirable changes could result.
Spot Cleaning
Immediate attention to spills is most important for spot removal from Coir and Sisal Mattings, as it is with most floor coverings. The spilled substance should be removed as quickly as possible by blotting up with clean, undyed paper towels or cloths, or scraped with a dull knife or nail file. Two methods are recommended for the following common substances.
Method A: (for beer, blood, butter, chocolate, coffee, cola, cream, general dirt, eggs, excreta, fruit, greasy food, ice cream, lipstick, liquor, water-based paint, urine, vomit).
- Mop up the spill immediately with an undyed paper towel or clean undyed cloth.
- Brush or sponge the discoloured area with small amounts of lukewarm water and a small amount of detergent or carpet shampoo. The cleaner should have a neutral pH factor. Do not saturate the matting. Blot up with an undyed paper towel or cloth. Repeat.
- Dry the matting quickly with a hair dryer.
Method B: (for asphalt, coloured chalk, cosmetics, fresh oil, oil-based paint, shoe polish, soot)
- Cautiously scrape up as much of the stain as possible, using a dull knife or nail file. Soot should be vacuumed up.
- Dampen a clean, undyed white cloth with a small amount of dry cleaning fluid. Tetra and petroleum solvents may be used. Blot up the stain. Check to see if solvent is dissolving the substance. Work toward the centre of the stain, and don't use too much solvent to avoid spreading the stain. Repeat.
- Dry the matting quickly, as with a hair dryer.
Water and Water Based Spills:
- Immediately blot up with undyed paper towels.
- Dry the matting quickly with a hair dryer.
- Cover with a thick layer of potato flour overnight.
- Vacuum up the next day.
Greasy and oily spots have also been successfully removed from Coir and Sisal Mattings with aerosol can spot removers, such as K2R (available in most drug stores and supermarkets) and Goddard's. These contain both a cleaning solvent and absorbing powder. Follow the directions on the container. Beer and wine stains have also been removed with wood alcohol applied with a clean undyed absorbent cloth. For oil based paints use small amounts of turpentine.
With some stains, it may be necessary to experiment on a very small area with water, carpet cleaner, or solvent to determine what will dissolve the substance. Avoid spreading the stain by using too much water, cleaner or solvent. With undyed, absorbent material remove as much of the loosened soil as possible. Repeat if necessary.
When the above recommended processes do not remove the stain, contact your Elte salesperson who can suggest a number of good professional cleaners. These professionals have a wider range of materials and processes available to remove the soiling of your Coir and Sisal.
It is possible for stains such as oil to accumulate in the underlay, which could work through the matting. In this circumstance, several cleanings may be necessary to remove the oil. If the underlay becomes wet, it should be dried immediately since dissolved dyes in the underlay can stain the matting.
Overall Cleaning
Both Coir and Sisal Mattings are hygroscopic. That is, they absorb moisture and give off moisture, depending on the relative humidity in their immediate environment. But saturation of the fibers with water can cause undesirable, dimensional changes. Therefore, it is NOT recommend that cleaning be done with a hot water extraction ("steam cleaning"), wet shampooing or any other method that involves water saturation of the matting. A safe effective cleaning process is the HOST Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System. Moist organic, sponge-like particles are liberally sprinkled onto the dry matting by hand. They are immediately brushed through matting fibres by a specially designed HOST machine. As with vacuuming, the most effective cleaning is achieved when brushing is done in both North-South, East-West directions. The cleaner should be allowed to sit until all moisture has evaporated from 20 minutes to a few hours, depending on the general humidity of the area. Then it should be vacuumed up using regular procedures. At this time a second brushing of the matting with just the HOST machine (no cleaner), followed by a second vacuuming will enhance the look of the fibres. If the matting is still soiled in locations of heavy traffic or spillage, the entire process should be repeated to complete the restoration. No water marks are visible with this process, allowing effective spot cleaning to be done. For the name of a local HOST professional cleaner call 1-800-558-9439.
Curled Rug Corners
Foot traffic, furniture movement, or rolling wheels can sometimes cause curling of area rug corners. A strong double-faced tape in corners can prevent this. Some choose to attach thin weights to rug corners (such as a flat metal triangle encased in canvas or thin tile etc.). Severely curled corners can be flattened by thoroughly dampening clean rug corner with water and placing a weight on the corner overnight. Responsibility for cleaning and maintenance lies with those performing this work. We urge those performing maintenance to carefully review information prior to any cleaning or maintenance. No warranty is expressed or implied.