MAT OR GRATING CARPET TREAD MAINTENANCE

The carpet in your J.L. Industries entrance mat or grating will retain its new appearance for many years if a plan of regular maintenance is followed. It is important to begin this plan when the mat is new, for the longer the soil or stain remains in the carpet, the more difficult it is to remove. The type and schedule of maintenance depends on the location, amount of traffic and type of stain. Our recommendations:

1. Inspect regularly for spots and stains to reduce the possibility of them becoming permanent. If the spill is a liquid, blot up as much as possible with a clean, soft absorbent paper towel or cloth. If the spill is semi-solid, scrape with a spoon or spatula and then blot with a damp sponge. Work from the edge of the spot to the center to keep the stain from spreading.

2. Two types of spot remover can be used. For oily stains such as tar, paint, grease, etc., a nor-flammable dry cleaning solvent works best. Caution should be taken to first test for color fastness. Put a few drops in an inconspicuous area, then press the area with a clean cloth for 10 seconds. if there is any evidence of loose dye, discontinue use. For most other spills such as coffee, tea, pet stains, etc., a dry soil extractor such as Milliken’s "Capture" works well. Follow manufacturers directions for those products.

3. VACUUM SCHEDULE: A good heavy duty vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush is the most effective way to routinely clean the carpet in your entrance grating. By vibrating the fibers, this type of vacuum not only cleans the surface of the carpet, but also removes soil that is imbedded into the pile. It aids in keeping the pile upright for longer lasting beauty. The heaviest traffic areas should be vacuumed daily, and lighter traffic areas as infrequently as weekly.

4. CARPET CLEANING SCHEDULE: Carpet should be cleaned when vacuuming will no longer remove the soil. This may be monthly, quarterly, or longer depending on soil and traffic conditions. Systems such as aerosols, foams, hot water extraction, or shampoo will work, but sometimes they leave sticky detergent residue that will accelerate resoling. Be extremely careful when selecting a method of this type. We recommend a dry system, such as Milliken’s "Capture" for several reasons:

a.  slower resoiling,

b.  convenience - carpet remains dry allowing you to clean when and where you want, and

c. safe - no possible carpet damage from dye bleeding or wet carpet or floors to cause slipping.