Axminster

Methods Vacuum Cleaners

The correct way to remove spillages from axminster Carpet

Spillages are more easily removed if tackled immediately. Use a blotting/dabbing action or even better if available, a wet suction vacuum cleaner.

Useful Items to keep in stock for emergency use:

	Propriety shampoo solution such as VAX 3 in 1 suitable for use on wool rich carpets available form most supermarkets.
	Stain removing trigger spray such as 1001
	Stain removing spray for grease or oil spots, available from Boots Chemists.

Coffee & Tea, Fruit Juice, Red wine, Port, Sherry, Blood.

Soak up as much liquid as possible with absorbent tissue, then dab the area with a clean white cloth, moistened in a solution of diluted carpet shampoo and warm water or stain removing spray. Blot with paper towels or clean white cloth or vacuum thoroughly using a wet suction vacuum cleaner. Repeat as required, be patient and persistent. Finally, dab with just warm water only, applied from a clean cloth and, in the same way as before, blot or suck up all remaining moisture until dry. Carefully brush the area in the direction of the pile.

Milk

Treat as for coffee, tea & fruit juice. An additional application of an oil/grease spot remover will remove any remaining grease. Finally, blot or wet vacuum all remaining moisture, leave until dry and carefully brush the area in the direction of the pile.

Grease

With a blunt knife or spatula, remove as much solid material a possible. Blot up the residue and treat with a oil/grease remover, blotting frequently with absorbent cloth.

Tar

Scrape up the solids carefully with a blunt knife, then treat the stain with propriety brand of tar remover, following the instructions carefully.

Urine

Treat as for coffee, tea or fruit juice adding 1 egg cup of white vinegar to 1 pint of shampoo solution.

Paint (Oil Based)

Blot excess spillage with absorbent tissue, then clean with a cloth moistened with white spirit. Be careful not to rub the pile or apply too much white spirit. Once the paint is removed dab the area with diluted carpet shampoo on a clean, white cloth, blot or vacuum then follow with an application of clean water. Blot or wet vacuum and leave until dry. Finally brush the affected area in the direction of the pile.

Ink

For a liquid ink follow the instructions for coffee, tea and fruit juice removal. For ball point ink moisten with a clean cloth and non coloured methylated spirits, blot carefully and when dry brush the affected area in the direction of the pile.

Shoe Polish

Carefully scrape up the solid and clean gently with a dry cleaning fluid. Then use a clean, white cloth, moistened with diluted shampoo to rinse the area, blotting with a clean dry cloth or wet vacuum. Allow to dry thoroughly and brush the area in the direction of the pile.

Chewing Gum

Freeze the gum with a propriety freezing agent, break up when frozen and remove.

For persistent or very large stains it is always advisable to consult a professional carpet cleaner.

This advice is offered as a service to customers, and Brintons Limited will not be liable for loss or damage or injury arising out of any action based on this advice.

Suitable Cleaning Systems for axminster Carpets

Absorbent Powder

The absorbent powder compound is spread evenly over the surface of the carpet and brushed in with cylindrically rotating brushes. Once the powder is dry it is vacuumed up using a very strong vacuum cleaner. This is a very good system, which does not wet the carpet, and it is suitable for use on Brintons' products. It is not a deep cleaning system but it is very efficient at removing oily or greasy type stains.

Dry Foam (rotary)

THIS SYSTEM IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR AXMINSTER CARPETS

This system uses a rotary or spinning bonnet/pad. A shampoo solution is applied either to the machine pads or sprayed onto the carpet pile. The rotary machine is then moved onto the surface of the carpet. The treated pad absorbs soil and holds it until the pad is next cleaned. This is a very cheap system, easy to use and it also dries quickly. We do not, however, recommend its use on Brintons' carpet as the speed of the spinning disc can cause damage to the surface pile and lead to all over flattening.

Hot Water Extraction Systems

Hot water extraction machines work on the principle of spraying jets of water/cleaning solution into the carpet pile and extracting with a vacuum head which follows behind the jets. Some machines incorporate a brushing action between the spray head and vacuum. Hot water extraction machines may be used in two ways:

Method One

This method uses a shampoo solution in the tank which is sprayed onto the surface of the carpet and immediately vacummed up by the vacuum head. This is an acceptable method but there is a greater risk of the sprays in the machine becoming blocked and of a build up of shampoo residue in the pile. This may attract soil particularly when the carpet is wet.

Method Two

The hot water extraction tank is filled with a diluted fibre conditioner without shampoo. A pre-spray solution is then applied to the carpet using a power spray with a fine spray nozzle. The chemical is left for a few minutes in order for the chemicals to work and the carpet is then treated with the hot water extraction machine filled with the fibre conditioner rinse. This flushes the pre-spray from the carpet leaving the fibres in a very clean condition, less likely to attract further soiling. It is extremely important, which ever system is employed, that the carpet is not allowed to become over wet, otherwise shrinkage may occur. After cleaning, the carpet should not be walked on until completely dry or rapid re-soiling will occur. Dependant on ambient conditions, we would expect the carpet to completely dry out in about 4 hours.

Brintons recommend the use of professionally qualified cleaning operatives/services. Some examples of these are listed below:

National Carpet Cleaners Association - 0116 271 9550

Servicemaster - 0116 261 0761

Proclean - 0181 541 5214

Vacuum Cleaning Recommendations for axminster carpets

The removal of loose particles of soil and grit forms an essential part of the cleaning and maintenance plan of the carpet. It is the single most important part of the cleaning routine and can make a major contribution to maintaining the carpet's overall appearance in use. Grit and soil if left in the carpet will grind the pile at every footfall causing the fibres to wear prematurely. Vacuuming, if carried out correctly, using a well maintained and regularly emptied cleaner with cylindrical brushes, will remove a large proportion of loose particulate soil and grit. At the same time, the brushing action helps to open and lift the pile restoring surface appearance.

Contrary to popular belief, regular vacuuming should begin as soon as the carpet is laid. A new carpet will inevitably contain loose fibres and debris which needs to be removed by regular vacuuming. The amount of loose fibre which is removed from the carpet in the first few weeks after installation can look very dramatic, but it is in reality, only a very small proportion of the pile weight and will in no way affect the carpets' performance

A number of different types of vacuum machines are available

Upright Machines
These machines usually have cylindrical rotating brushes and sometimes a "beater bar." Some modern machines have an automatic height adjuster for use on hard or carpeted floors. The majority of them also now have a hose and tool kit built into them so that difficult crevices and corners can be reached. These tools can also be used on stairs when the hose is long enough. Slow sweeping actions produce the best results. Machines need to be cleaned free from cotton and other threads which inevitably become wound round the rollers or brushes preventing them working effectively. Belts can break and, if not repaired, the brushing action is lost making the cleaner useless. It is also important to use the correct setting if there is one on the machine. The brushes should just rest into the pile, too deep and the motor will be laboured, too shallow and the cleaning efficiency is lost. Warning lights should not be ignored and bags must be emptied regularly. It is advisable to empty them when only half full as the performance of bottom fill bags is reduced as they fill. It is also important to change the paper bags in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.

Canisters and Tubs
These are cylindrical or tub shaped machines with a hose attached. The head of the hose may have a row of small brushes round the edges, which can be lowered and raised depending on the surface of the floor to be cleaned. The brushes should be cleaned free of cottons and fluff regularly and should be used in the down position on cut pile carpets. These machines can however have a flattening effect on cut pile carpets and, for this reason, we do not believe that they help the long term appearances. Canister/tub machines with power brush attachments are now available, which perform the same brushing action as an upright cleaner.

Brintons recommendations
For cut pile carpets, Brintons recommend the use of an upright vacuum cleaner with cylindrically rotating brushes. Canister/tub machines with power brush attachments are also suitable. For loop pile carpets we recommend canister/tub machines without a brushing action

Visit Brintons