Steve Skains 
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CARE
OF YOUR NEW FLOOR

Your new Abbey flooring represents a substantial investment in your home-an investment that you'll want to keep looking its best for many years to come. No flooring lasts forever, but by following the maintenance tips outlined on the next few pages, you'll extend the life and beauty of your floor.

Use Entrance Mats

Place mats inside and outside entrances to trap soil before it is tracked into your home.

Vacuum Regularly

You can't vacuum too often. Using a vacuum with a beaterbar or rotating brush will loosen the dirt making it easier for the vacuum to remove soil. Vacuums with top-loading bags are preferred over bottom-loading bags.

Change the disposable bag or empty the vacuum often.

Carpet with thick loop pile construction (berber) may be sensitive to brushing, rubbing, or scrapping of the pile surface which may cause fuzzing and pile distortion. It is recommended that vacuums with suction action only be used on these styles.

Carpet sweepers and electric brooms are useful for picking up crumbs and surface soil, but it's important to know that they will not deep clean.

Clean Spots and Spills Immediately

For best results, give prompt attention to spots and spills.

* Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.

* Blot up liquid spills with a white towel.

* Never rub, scrub, or use a brush. This may cause damage to carpet fibers.

* Use a cleaning agent and procedure appropriate for the type of stain being removed.

* Apply all cleaning agents to the cloth rather than directly to the stained area to avoid saturating the carpet when spot cleaning.

* Clean the fibers, not the backing.

* Do not rush. Deep stains might require repeat cleanings because they can "wick" back up after initial cleaning.

* Work from the outside to the center of large stains. This prevents spreading.

Most household stains can be removed using the Scotchgard "Easy as 1-2-3" method. Oil based stains, however, will require the use of a dry cleaning solvent prior to using this cleaning method.

Use the "Easy as 1-2-3" method to remove these stains as outlined below: Use Dry Cleaning Fluid to remove these stains:

*If the stain persists, add the vinegar/water solution outlined in Step 3 with the detergent solution outlined in Step 1. Follow Step 1 procedures.

**Freeze and remove solids before cleaning with dry cleaning fluid.

Step 1: Detergent Solution

* Mix 1 teaspoon of mild laundry detergent (non-bleaching brands such as Tide or Surf) with two (2) cups of water. Stir the solution gently.

* Using a clean white cloth, dampen the fibers in the stained area with the detergent solution.

* If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution into the base of the stain.

* Re-wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water.

* Cover the area with an absorbent, white towel and apply pressure to the blot.

* Repeat the rinsing/blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.

* If the stains are removed, place white paper towels over the stained area.

* Weight the towels with a heavy, colorfast object, such as a plastic wastebasket with a weight inside.

* Change the paper towels as stains wick up until the area dries.

* If stains remain (unless they are from coffee, tea or urine) proceed to Step 2. For coffee, tea and urine stains proceed directly to Step 3.

Step 2: Ammonia/Water

Note: Do not use on coffee, tea or urine stains

* Mix one (1) tablespoon of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Apply this solution as outlined in Step 1, rinsing the area in the same manner.

Note: Even if stains disappear after using the ammonia solution, it is necessary to use Step 3—the vinegar solution—to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 3: Vinegar/Water

* Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Apply this solution as outlined in Step 1 and 2.

* Rinse and blot.

* Fold paper towels with a heavy, colorfast object such as a plastic wastebasket with a weight inside.

* Continue to change paper towels until the area is almost dry. Gently brush pile to lift tufts.

* Allow carpet to completely dry before walking on carpet surface.

Note: you must use Step 3 if you first used Step 2. it is important to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Abbey Carpet recommends professional cleaning every 18 months-2 years or before the carpet becomes too unsightly.

Important-please note: Although your carpet may not look dirty, you are still required to have your carpet professionally cleaned regularly (every 18-24 months) to comply with some manufacturer's stain or soil protection warranties.

While your Abbey carpet is of the highest quality, it is still subject to everyday wear and tear. Here are some tips to keep your carpet looking its best.

Sprouting

If loose ends or "sprouts" extend above the rest of the pile, trim them off evenly with the pile surface. Never try to pull them out. After clipping, smooth the area with your fingers. Sharp edges on your vacuum cleaner, a child's toy, high heels, or animal claws can cause this condition

Pile Crushing

All carpet fibers will crush under heavy, stationary loads. Crushing can be reduced by shifting furniture regularly. Crushed areas can usually be restored by covering the area with a damp, clean white cloth and then very carefully applying heat to the cloth with an electric iron on a low setting. Remove the cloth and restore the pile while it is still hot by brushing it lightly. Keep traffic of the carpet until it is dry.

Shading

After certain carpet styles have been subjected to traffic, you may notice areas that appear lighter or darker than other areas. Don't be alarmed! Shading is the result of the change in direction of the pile due to pressure from the footsteps and vacuuming. brushing the pile all in one direction may temporarily correct shading; however, shading is part of the carpet styling and should be expected in varying degrees. Do not mistake shading for color fading.

Note: No carpet is absolutely stain-proof.

Some carpets have stain-resistant treatments to improve your ability to clean up stains, not prevent stains.

Pile Distortion/Roll Crush

When carpet is manufactured, inspected, handled and shipped, it is rolled and unrolled many times. A common problem called pile distortion or roll crush can occur when this happens. It can be corrected only when after the carpet is installed.

Follow these steps:

* Vacuum the carpet.

* Increase the relative humidity in the room to 50% or more.

* Allow several weeks in humid conditions and slightly longer in low humidity conditions for the pile to recover.

Abbey recommends that you first check with the manufacturer of your new hard surface flooring for specific cleaning techniques that might be applied.

Ceramic Tile

Ordinary sweeping and an occasional wiping with a damp sponge mop, using a small amount of soapless detergent in warm water, will clean your ceramic tile beautifully. Soaps are not recommended, as they leave a film which dulls the surface and promotes mildew. Steel wool pads, acid cleaner, and vinegar are also not recommended due to the damage caused to grout.

Vinyl/Resilient Flooring

This flooring requires only basic maintenance. Spills and messes are easily wiped up. Regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping and washing with a manufacturer-recommended nonabrasive cleaner will eliminate particles that can scratch and dull the floor.

Hardwood Flooring

Prevent scratches and dulling cased by dust with the use of mats or rugs at all entrances. Vacuum or dust with a mop once a week. Beware! The use of dusting products can dull the finish. Polyurethane or similar surfaces require a damp mop for routine clean-ups. Never clean wax finished floors with water or even a damp mop. Follow the manufacturer's directions for bigger cleanups, otherwise, use a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar in 4 cups of warm water. When using a damp rag or sponge, wipe the floor dry as you go. Oil, soaps or ammonia products can cause damage and dull surface finishes.

Laminate Floor Covering

Ordinary vacuuming and an occasional wipe over with a damp cloth or mop is usually all the cleaning a laminate floor needs. For tougher stains, follow these guidelines:

Stain: Grease, wine, juice, chocolate

Clean-up: Warm water and mild detergent

Stain: Shoe polish, ink, crayon, asphalt, cigarettes, nail polish

Clean-up: Mineral spirits, acetone (nail polish remover), denatured alcohol

Stain: Candle wax, chewing gum

Clean-up: Allow to harden then carefully scrape off with a dull blunt scraper