Floorcovering Solutions

Vacuum regularly to keep soil from becoming embedded in the carpet's pile where it's more difficult to remove. If you allow soil particles to become embedded, they can pit and scratch the fiber creating a dull, faded appearance.

Non-traffic areas: Vacuum at least once a week, using three passes of the vacuum.

Light-traffic areas: Vacuum at least twice a week.

Moderate to heavy traffic areas: These require more thorough cleaning - at least five passes, two to five times per week. Do heavy vacuuming more slowly to allow the beating or suction action of your cleaner to thoroughly remove embedded particles.

Have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 24 months, depending on A) traffic and other use factors, B) frequency of vacuuming, and C) whether the carpet is a light or dark color. You should have the carpet professionally cleaned often enough to prevent the carpet from becoming excessively soiled.

Snags: Pulling or snagging can occur when a sharp object like a loose shoe nail or a child's toy hooks on the fibers. Don't pull the snag, clip it off with scissors.

Dents: Remove a dent by stroking it with the edge of a coin. You can also use a hair dryer (hot air) or a steam iron very lightly to raise the dented area while you tug upward on the tuffs. CAUTION: DON'T LET THE IRON TOUCH THE CARPET.

Burns: Should your carpet endure a burn, remove the tops of the darkened, burned fibers with curved fingernail scissors. If the burn is extensive, your carpet may require patching or replacement.

Shedding: Not all carpet sheds, but some shedding may occur depending on the fiber used to make the carpet. The loose fibers are easily removed through regular vacuuming and in no way affect carpet quality. This condition will diminish after a few weeks or months depending on vacuuming frequency.

Restretching: Occasionally carpet will need to be restretched. Frequency of this maintenance procedure is dependent on the quality of the carpet backing and technique used to stretch the carpet upon initial instillation. Power stretching is recommended.

Footprints: All cut pile carpets show footprints. This is not a defect. It is much more prevalent on deep pile carpet made from bright fiber. To minimize footprints, you might want to choose very dense, low pile carpet.

Stone products require unique care. Proper care will preserve the natural stone's original appearance. Use a natural cleaner with a pH between 7 and 10. Avoid all purpose cleaners or soaps containing water-soluble inorganic or crystallizing salts, harmful alkali, or acids. Stone products should be sealed with either a penetrating or surface coating type sealer, depending on desired look. Sealed surfaces should be tested periodically for effectiveness. Many factors will contribute to the length of time a sealer will last, including the type and texture of stone, wear factors, cleaning method used, weather conditions, and sun exposure.

The most important finishing touch, of course, is keeping your floor clean. Sweep or vacuum daily to prevent dirt and grit from being ground into the surface of the floor. For lightly soiled floors or spills, all you need is a damp mop and SureShine® Cleaner, a no-rinse formula for non-wax floors. SureShine Polish, available in both high-gloss and matte finishes, restores your floor's original luster and keeps it looking like new. All products are available at Floorcovering Solutions.

Immediately After Installation

Keep traffic light during the first 24 hours, so adhesive can dry properly.

If the floor has been seamed, avoid stepping on the seam sealer for 24 hours, so it can dry undisturbed.

Avoid scrubbing or washing the floor for at least 3 days after installation. Spot clean the floor, avoiding all seams. Clean any adhesive residue with a clean, white cloth dampened with mineral spirits.

Mannington Floor Care Instructions

Use doormats outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Use non-staining mats on your floor. DO NOT PUT RUBBER-BACKED, LATEX-BACKED, OR COCO FIBER MATS ON YOUR FLOOR because they will stain or damage the surface.

To minimize potential staining from asphalt tracking, we suggest you use latex-based driveway sealer on your driveway.

Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings to fade or discolor.

Support furniture with wide-nearing, non-staining floor protectors. The protectors should be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor. Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum of 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture. Make sure any metal protectors are rust-proof. Replace your narrow dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones.

If you need to move heavy furniture and / or appliances across the floor, always use strips of wood or hardboard runways to protect the floor. Always use runways even if you have an appliance dolly, or even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers.

Sweep your floor regularly (at least once a week).

Prevent stains by wiping up spills immediately.

Occasional mopping with Mannington Award Series® Rinse-Free Cleaner is recommended when dirt builds up and sweeping alone is not sufficient. Use a solution of 2 to 3 capfuls of Award Series Cleaner (or clear, non-sudsy ammonia) in one gallon of warm water. Use of more than the recommended amount of cleaning solution may leave a dulling film. Do not use soap or detergent products as they will leave a dulling film. Rinsing is not required when using Award Series Cleaner, but if time permits, rinsing will provide the best care.

Floors with Nature Form® and Nature Form® Optix visual are low-gloss floors; use polish or "mop and shine" products only if you wish to make the floor shiny.

All high-gloss floors will lose shine over time. To restore gloss, we recommend applying Mannington Award Series® High Gloss Polish. Do not use wax. Do not buff. Be sure to thoroughly clean, rinse, and allow the floor to dry completely prior to applying polish.

After several applications of polish for a high-shine floor, an occasional stripping and reapplication of polish may be necessary. We recommend the use of Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper. After thorough cleaning, rinsing, and drying, we recommend applying Mannington Award Series® High-Gloss Polish to restore the shine. Do not use wax. Do not buff. High traffic areas may require more than one application of polish. Allow polish to dry "tack-free" between coats.

For complete instructions regarding the proper use of Mannington floor care products, refer to the package labels.

Sweep or vacuum regularly, since built-up grit can damage the finish and surface of hardwood. The vacuum head must be a brush or felt type. Be certain the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.

Never mop or flood your floor with water or other products. This can severely damage the flooring.

The use of manufacturer recommended maintenance and floor-care products is recommended.

Do not use oil soaps, liquid, or paste wax products or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia. Do not use a wet Swiffer.

Keep pet's nails trimmed and paws clean.

Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects.

Make certain furniture casters and floor protectors are clean and operate properly (a minimum of 1" continuous width is recommended).

Use of felt floor protectors is recommended for all furniture in contact with the floor.

Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor.

Exposure to the sun and UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of hardwood and fabrics. This causes the stain and / or hardwood to fade and / or change color. We recommend you rearrange rugs or furniture periodically so the floors age evenly.

Your floor will wear more evenly if you use area rugs in heavily traveled areas and pivot-points (i.e. stair landings, room entries, etc.).

Use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil outside.