Care instructions
Foreword
In order to preserve the value of your carpet and to guarantee it a long life, it is important to vacuum it daily or regularly. Apparent dirt such as dust particles or animal hair can be easily removed if they have not yet settled too deeply into the fabric. Care must be taken that the vacuum cleaner is used without a brush attachment in order not to damage the fibres.
Long-pile carpets must be shaken out regularly and dusted down.
It is important that the carpet is treated immediately if it gets dirty.
When cleaning, a white cloth should generally be used and the surfaces dabbed and not rubbed. This process must be repeated until the stain is no longer visible.
It is important also not to use too much water when cleaning – this is especially the case for viscose and sisal carpets. Too much water can lead to deformation or water stains.
Before cleaning, first try out the selected method on a very small part of the carpet to see if it’s suitable. On some carpets it may cause discoloration or fading. In addition, always treat from the outside in, i.e. from the edge of the stain to the middle.
Pile/materials
Viscose
Viscose rugs must be treated gently. Do not use a hard brush to remove stains. Viscose carpets can easily be damaged with too much water. For this reason, it is important to ensure that as little water as possible is used during cleaning, otherwise there is a risk that the carpet may become deformed or sustain water stains.
Polypropylene, polyester, acrylic
Carpets made of polypropylene, polyester and acrylic are very resistant to dirt and easy to clean. This means that they can be used anywhere in the household. Carpets made of synthetic fibres cannot be washed in a washing machine. Too much water may cause the fibres to get mingled. Additionally, carpets made of synthetic fibres are not heat tolerant.
Wool
Wool carpets are dirt-repellent and highly flammable. They also have a sturdy, yet soft and elastic structure. It is important that wool carpets are not cleaned with soapy water as this can damage the fibres. After cleaning, the carpet must be dried immediately to prevent mould formation.
Types of stain and appropriate cleaning methods
Red wine, coke, beer, cocoa
Suitable for all fibres
First dab the carpet with an absorbent cloth to take as much of the liquid off as possible. Then carefully soak the stain with some carbonated mineral water and dab again. Repeat this process a few times if necessary until the stain is completely removed. Dab and do not rub so that, for example, the red wine does not penetrate deeper into the fabric.
For wool only
For stubborn stains dab the affected area with mineral water and sprinkle with salt. Remove the salt the next morning with a vacuum cleaner. Then let the affected area dry thoroughly.
Coffee
First dab the carpet with an absorbent cloth to take as much of the liquid off as possible. Then carefully soak the stain with some carbonated mineral water and dab again. Repeat this process a few times if necessary until the stain is completely removed. Do not rub hard, or the coffee may penetrate deeper into the fabric. It is important that at the end the moisture is taken off with a dry cloth.
Chewing gum
Chewing gum stains are to be treated with ice cubes. First, cover the affected area with ice cubes, leave them on for a half hour or until the chewing gum has hardened. The harder the chewing gum is, the easier it is to remove, for example, by carefully scraping it off the with a scraper or with a similar instrument.
Wax
For wax stains, first harden the affected area with ice cubes. Then place blotting paper on the waxed area and carefully iron over the paper until the melted wax is completely soaked up.
Take care that the iron is not too hot, otherwise there is a risk of melting the synthetic fibres.
Ketchup, Mustard, Curry, Milk and Jams
Synthetic fibres, viscose
Soak the affected area with water. After soaking, clean the stain with warm soapy water. Care must be taken not to apply the soap directly to the carpet, but to mix it with water first.
Wool
Soak the affected area with water. After soaking apply vinegar to the stain and dab with a soft cloth. Repeat this process several times until the stain is no longer visible. The acetic acid not only removes stains, but also refreshes the colour of the carpet.
Ink
Ink stains are best treated with shaving cream. To do this, spray the shaving cream onto the stain and lather with a little water. After a few minutes, carefully dab the area with a clean, dry washcloth. If the ink stain is not yet gone, the shaving cream may have been removed too soon to have time to work. Repeat the process again and leave the shaving cream to work a little longer.
Chocolate
Chocolate stains are to be treated with ice cubes. Firstly, put some ice cubes on the stain and leave them there for a half hour. Then gently scrape off the top layer of the stain with a scraper or a similar instrument. Then dab off the residues several times with lukewarm water. Repeat this process until there is no more residue.
Honey
Honey stains must be treated immediately so that the stain does not harden. Dab the stain several times with lukewarm water and then dry the damp area.
Grease stains
Grease stains are treated with traditional flour. Cover the stain with a small heap of flour and leave for 15 minutes. Once this time have passed, clean the area with a vacuum cleaner. If the stain is still visible, the flour may not have been left long enough to work. Repeat the process, leaving the flour on the stain for a longer period of time.
Fruit stains
Fruit stains must be treated quickly as they are very stubborn. Use commercially available glass cleaner and spray on the affected area. Once this is absorbed into the carpet, wait a few minutes before dabbing the spot with a clean and dry cloth. If the stain is visible, the glass cleaner may not have had enough time to work. Repeat the process but leave the glass cleaner to work for a bit longer.