Five Common Carpet Myths Debunked by Shaw Industries

Carpet has been the most popular floor covering in America for decades for good reason - carpets feel soft, reduce noise and insulate rooms. But some common misconceptions deter people from buying carpets. Before purchasing flooring, consider the following information from Shaw Floors:

MYTH 1 Asthma and allergy sufferers should not have carpet in the home.

FACT: Multiple scientific studies have concluded that carpet fibers, in trapping and immobilizing potential allergy-causing particulates, can actually help people with allergies. If allergens are in the carpet, they're not circulating in the indoor air stream. Shaw recommends using a HEPA-filter vacuum to fully remove such particles from the indoor environment.

Carpet can help you breathe easier.

Carpet acts as a trap for allergens and is capable of holding significant quantities of soil, dust and other substances. The carpet holds on to the particles until you are ready to remove them. Regular vacuuming, using a high-efficiency filter and periodic hot-water extractions, removes the majority of allergens. To learn more check out our Breathe Easier article and a paper, "Carpet, Asthma and Allergies - Myth or Reality" by Dr. Michael Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT.

MYTH 2 Carpet is hard to maintain - it stains and wears out very easily.

FACT: Simple steps can extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking new.

Frequent vacuuming removes soil particles before they get below the surface of the pile, where they are far more difficult to remove. Carpet in a typical household should be thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Hot water extraction systems provide the most effective cleaning. Professional carpet cleaners generally get the best results.

MYTH 3 Carpet is outdated and boring.

FACT: Carpets come in patterns ranging from traditional hounds tooth to exotic zebra, and in stylish colors like all the new greys and other top trends. Many consumers use a mix of carpet, hardwood and tile in their homes to incredible, beautiful effect. Check out the inspiration section of this site to see beautiful examples of how Shaw carpets are some of the most stylish, modern, sophisticated choices you could ever placenowhere near boring

MYTH 4 Carpet emits harmful chemicals that cause health problems.

FACT: Carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) among househld furnishings and building materials. Shaw carpets meet the industry's highest VOC standard, the Carpet & Rug Institute's Green Label Plus program.

MYTH 5 Carpet is bad for the environment

FACT: Floor manufacturers now provide many eco-friendly options for environmentally-conscious consumers. Shaw carpets made of Anso nylon can be recycled at Shaw's Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility, where they are broken down and remade into new carpet fiber. The process helps turn carpet into a renewable product and keeps carpet waste out of landfills. Shaw's ClearTouch carpets contain recycled content made from plastic bottles.

Some things to keep in mind after your carpets have been professionally cleaned:

• Be careful walking from carpet to hard surfaces. Floors can be very slippery;
• If possible, avoid walking on damp carpet. If this is not possible, use inside shoes (slippers or sandals) to walk on it. We can also provide you with a pair of booties. You may also walk on the carpet with clean white socks. If you must go in and out over the damp carpet, wipe your shoes thoroughly with a wet cloth each time before walking on carpet. Dirt will track off on damp carpet very easily. Try to keep pets and children off of carpet for at least 6 hours.
• Do not remove the plastic pieces placed under legs of furniture until carpet is absolutely dry. Preferably allow several days to allow moisture trapped under the plastic to evaporate therefore preventing rust or permanent furniture stain.
• Do not replace, move or adjust furniture or area rugs in cleaned areas for 24 hours
• Some carpets may still feel slightly damp for up to 8 - 12 hours depending on carpet and soiling condition. This is normal and will not cause any problems.
• You can vacuum your carpet anytime after this 24 hour period.
  For faster drying carpets:
• Adjust thermostat to 72 degrees, or if appropriate open windows Turn off humidifiers on furnace.
• Turn your thermostat fan control setting to "On." Turn on all ceiling fans (make sure air blows down.)
• Turn on dehumidifier or air conditioning
• If available run floor fans over carpet.

Dry time for carpets can vary depending on how soiled, weather and air movement:

Bamaclean high capacity cleaning units use industrial vacuums that remove most of the water used to clean your carpets, so drying time is fast! Under normal conditions, your carpet should be dry within hours – almost always the same day.

• Do not remove the plastic pieces placed under legs of furniture until carpet is absolutely dry. Preferably allow several days to allow moisture trapped under the plastic to evaporate therefore preventing rust or permanent furniture stain.
• Do not replace, move or adjust furniture or area rugs in cleaned areas for 24 hours
• Some carpets may still feel slightly damp for up to 8 - 12 hours depending on carpet and soiling condition. This is normal and will not cause any problems.
• You can vacuum your carpet anytime after this 24 hour period.
  For faster drying carpets:
• Adjust thermostat to 72 degrees, or if appropriate open windows Turn off humidifiers on furnace.
• Turn your thermostat fan control setting to "On." Turn on all ceiling fans (make sure air blows down.)
• Turn on dehumidifier or air conditioning
• If available run floor fans over carpet.

Whats the best way to clean and maintain my carpet by Shaw Industries

Carpet has been the most popular floor covering in America for decades for good reason - carpets feel soft, reduce noise and insulate rooms. The key to maximizing your flooring investment is maintenance. Please consider the following information from one of the largest floor manufactures in the USA Shaw Floors:

How often should I have my carpet cleaned?

Today, virtually all carpet manufacturers recommend a cleaning every 12 to 18 months. If you are a family that has a pet, a business, or a residence with a lot of foot traffic, an annual Deep Carpet Cleaning makes a lot of sense. This will keep your home or business looking new and smelling fresh. An annual cleaning is also a good idea for families that have loved ones with allergies. An annual carpet cleaning keeps the allergen count down. If your home or business has only occasional foot traffic, We recommends a Deep Cleaning every two to five years.

How should I maintain my carpet?

FACT: Simple steps can extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking new.

Regular vacuuming once or twice per week, depending on usage, is recommended. Try to keep all nearby hard surfaces clean to prevent residues from tracking onto your carpet. It’s best to wear slippers or socks on your carpet, as bare feet transfer oils that dirt and grime will stick too. Carpet manufacturers recommend never using any kind of a carpet cleaner that uses a motorized brush. This causes unnecessary wear on your carpet and can shorten its lifespan. A Deep Steam Cleaning once a year will maintain your carpet perfectly. If you want to protect your investment, ask your carpet cleaning technician about Carpet Protector.

What is the best way to clean my carpet?.

FACT: The carpet manufacturing industry, the Carpet and Rug Institute, and the carpet cleaning industry as a whole, have commissioned many studies on just about every method of carpet cleaning. Because of our 40 years of experience and by carefully reading every carpet cleaning study that we can find, Bamaclean Carpet Cleaning continues to use the Steam/Hot water extraction method. Virtually all of these studies show the same results. The Steam/Hot water extraction method is still the best known way to clean carpets, period.

Shaws choice: Hot water extraction:
Research indicates that the hot water extraction system provides the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning," although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of applying a cleaning agent into the carpet pile and using water in the extractor to recover the used solution and soil. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the hose and wand brought inside or by a portable system brought into the home.
Shaw warranties require that the homeowner be able to show proof of periodic cleaning by hot water extraction (commonly called "steam" cleaning) by a professional cleaning service or do-it-yourself system, using equipment that is certified under the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval program. We strongly recommend cleaning systems that have achieved the Gold Level Performance in the CRI Seal of Approval Program. Click here for a list of Gold Level Performers.

Will my carpet re-soil faster after cleaning?

FACT: The reason carpets sometime get dirty faster after a cleaning is due to sticky residues being left behind, such as dirt, oil, and even some consumer cleaning products. Bamaclean Carpet Cleaning service will not leave any soil attracting residues behind. Your carpets will be vibrant and fresh!

Most carpets are treated with stain resist properties and soil resistors known as Dupont Teflon or 3M Scothgard. After a period of 2 to 3 years, some of the soil-resistor wears off. At that point you should consider having a professional carpet cleaner re-apply the treatment after professional cleaning. The soil resistor will help the soil slide off of the carpet easier when vacuuming, spots will be easier to remove, and professional cleaning will be more effective.If you notice on the onsite protector demo below the fabric swatches on the left are both stained with a red dye. One has been treated with our fabric protector while the other has not. As you can see the one with protector repels the dye and the other is permanently stained.