FAQ

 

How do you maintain and clean the carpets?

 
There is one simple step to improving the cleanliness of your carpet and the indoor air quality in your home: regular vacuuming with a CRI-certified machine.

Carpet fibers serve as a trap for allergens and other particles, reducing their continued circulation in the air. Removing them with a CRI-certified vacuum effectively sucks up the dust from the carpet, locks it in the machine and keeps it out of the air. At the same time, vacuums that effectively remove and contain soil will help carpets last longer and keep them looking great.

Tough standards for soil removal and indoor air quality

CRI Seal of Approval

CRI combines the indoor air quality protection of its Green Label vacuum program with enhanced cleaning standards of its Seal of Approval programs to identify even better performing vacuum cleaners than the previous program. Under the Seal of Approval vacuum program, manufacturers must meet higher performance standards and are rewarded with Gold, Silver or Bronze ratings. CRI employs an independent testing laboratory to measure:
  • Soil removal - A machine's performance in soil removal is measured precisely through NASA-enhanced X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. The more soil removed, the higher the rating.
  • Dust containment - A residential vacuum must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air. You want all that dirt, dust and pet dander locked tight in the vacuum, not escaping back into the air where it can be inhaled. Additionally, Gold level vacuums must meet ambient air quality standards.
  • Soil removal - A machine's performance in soil removal is measured precisely through NASA-enhanced X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology. The more soil removed, the higher the rating.
  • Surface Appearance Change - The vacuum must not affect the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change (shop speak for "not very much") based on one year of normal vacuum use.
  • Before being considered for the Bronze, Silver or Gold Seal of Approval ratings a vacuum cleaner must comply with the carpet fiber protection standard as well as meet both the corresponding soil removal standard and dust containment The CRI Seal of Approval program makes vacuum cleaner selection easier for you. So look for the Seal of Approval logo or label on packaging, displays and on the machine itself.
 

How do you maintain and clean the hardwood floors?

 
Your hardwood floor is installed. Your house finally feels like a home. But now what? How do you care for your new investment? Read on. Need floorcare products, or help from a local floor care professional?

Meet Mat

Floor mats are a wonderful thing when it comes to hardwood floors. Tiny particles, like dirt, can act like sandpaper and scratch your wood. By placing a floor mat at each entryway and encouraging family members and guests to wipe their feet, the majority of dirt and grime will remain on the mat. Also put a floor mat or rug in any area where water could be splashed - like near the kitchen sink. This will hinder any possible water damage.

Note that rubber-backed or non-ventilated floor mats or rugs can damage your floor. Instead use floor mats or rugs made especially for hardwood floors and be sure to shake them out regularly.

Whistle While You Work


Along with a hardwood floor comes the responsibility of keeping it clean. The better care you take, the longer your floor will maintain its original beauty. Step one is to purchase a high quality broom so that you can sweep your floor regularly of dirt, dust and other particles.

Second step is a vacuum cleaner without a beater bar, to get in between the boards and other hard to reach areas.

Deeper cleaning techniques vary depending on the installation and finish of your hardwood floor. For “Finish in Place" hardwood floors, using an 8"x14" terrycloth mop with a rotating head that makes cleaning corners, under cabinets and along baseboards as simple as pie is recommeded.

Professional cleaning products recommended by your flooring retailer can be used to remove tough stains and spills without dulling the finish of your wood floor. Makers of “Pre-finished" floors recommend their own specific products for routine maintenance. Check with your retailer for details.

Do and Don'ts

Don't wax a wood floor with a urethane finish

Do
use cleaners that won't leave a film or residue

Don't use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor - they'll dull the finish and affect your ability to recoat later.

Do
use a professional hardwood floor cleaner to remove occasional scuffs and heel marks (just spray some cleaner on a cloth and rub the stained area lightly)

Don't wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor (wood naturally expands when it's wet and can cause your floor to crack or splinter). For information on steam cleaning hardwood floors, see our blog post on Floor Talk.

Do clean sticky spots with a damp towel or sponge

Do minimize water exposure and clean spills immediately

Go Deep

If and when your hardwood floor begins to look like it belongs beneath the feet of gold miners in an old western saloon, it's time to consider screening and recoating.

Screening is the process used to abrade or grind down your floor's polyurethane finish. Next, fresh coats of urethane are applied. The result is a rejuvenated floor that looks as good as the day it was installed!

If the damage to your hardwood floor is severe, then you may require sanding and refinishing. This process involves sanding your floor down to the bare wood and refinishing it. Only go to this effort if screening and recoating doesn't solve your problem. Replacement boards may be available so you don't have to refinish the entire area. Be sure to go pro whenever you have work done on your hardwood floors!

Protect Your Investment

All hardwood floors fade or change shades over time. Like our own skin, wood's exposure to sunlight may greatly increase this process and cause permanent damage.

Window treatments are recommended to shade your floors from the sun's harsh rays. We also recommend rotating area rugs and furniture regularly, allowing wood floors to age evenly from UV exposure.

To avoid permanent marks and scratches, it's a good idea to cover furniture and table legs with flannel protectors. Be careful when moving heavy objects across your floor to avoid scuffing.

Watch out
- stiletto heels may be fashionable, but what's not in fashion (or covered by your warranty) are the dents and scratches they cause to wood floors. Likewise, trim your pet's nails regularly and keep any and all other sharp objects away from your floors.

Love your floors and your floors will love you back for a long, long time.