SUCTION POWER AND CARPET PILE
The type of carpeting and carpet pile you have determines how you clean and use the vacuum suction power on your carpet to protect your investment and prolong the life of your carpeting. When vacuuming carpets of different construction types – i.e. cut pile, loop, Berber – high suction and aggressive beater bars are detrimental to carpet life. Beater bars with stiff plastic bristles can cause pilling, fuzzing, and other irreversible damage to carpet fibers. When the suction is too strong, fibers can loosen from the backing.
These aren’t carpet defects, but indications that the vacuum is damaging the carpet. The beater bar should be raised to allow bristles to clean just the top of the carpet or can be turned off for effective suction-only cleaning. Refer to your carpet manufacturer’s warranty for the recommended vacuuming frequency and a list of vacuum models covered by their warranty. The use of several commonly sold vacuum brands will void carpet warranties altogether.
CLEANING SHAG AND DEEP PILE CAPRETING
Carpets with longer yarns like shag and deep pile carpeting require more attention than loop or low-level pile construction. Set the vacuum to its highest setting and use suction only to prevent fiber damage. Vacuum in multiple directions to release dirt and debris. Carpet rakes (about $20 on Amazon) can help maintain the carpet’s original appearance and prevent matting. Depending on how much traffic the rug gets, professional cleaning may be required once or twice annually.
CLEANING CARPET WITHOUT A VACUUM
Before treating stains, check the manufacturer’s website for treatment instructions based on specific carpet fibers and type of spill. To maintain the longevity of the carpet, carpet manufacturers’ warranties require professional hot water extraction or dry clean methods every 18-24 months to maintain warranty coverage.
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