A formula for gauging carpet maintenance
effectiveness Once a carpet care program has been developed and
implemented, it is important to measure its effectiveness. A program
that does not correlate to the traffic sustained by the carpet can result in
a soiled carpet with a shortened lifespan. As part of its ongoing
research into carpet maintenance, DuPont has developed an easy guide to
assessing the effectiveness of your carpet care programs. The Carpet
Maintenance Index will help you determine if the maintenance needs of a
particular carpet are being appropriately met. Determining the
Maintenance Index rating of a particular carpet is simple. Below are the
nine key factors that go into an effective maintenance program. After each
one, click on the circle that best applies to your maintenance program based
on the information provided.
1. Soil Collecting Barriers/Mats
Soil
collecting barriers and mats remove soil from shoe soles before it can be
tracked onto a carpet. The barriers must be cleaned and rotated regularly to
prevent soil build-up that will spread to the carpet.
Barriers at all
entrances. No barriers at each entrance.
2. Vacuuming: Moderate-/High-Traffic Areas
Vacuuming is the most important soil management procedure. Effective
vacuuming removes soil from the areas in which it is deposited so that it
cannot spread through the carpet.
High-traffic areas are vacuumed daily.
High-traffic areas are vacuumed four times a week. High-traffic areas are
vacuumed less than three times a week.
3. Vacuuming: Low-Traffic Areas
Vacuuming
of the low-traffic areas of your carpet is also necessary. It removes litter
and airborne soils, while preventing long-term soil build-up and the need
for frequent general cleaning.
These areas are vacuumed three times a
week. These areas are vacuumed two times a week. These areas are vacuumed
once a week. These areas are vacuumed less than once a week.
4. Power Pile Lifting:
Heavy-Traffic Areas
The use of a power pile lifter in the heavy-traffic areas prevents
soil compaction and carpet matting. It opens up the carpet pile so that your
vacuuming is more effective.
Cut Pile Carpeting A power pile lifter is
used once a week. A power pile lifter is used every other week. A power pile
lifter is used less than every other week.
Loop Pile Carpeting A power
pile lifter is used every two weeks. A power pile lifter is used once a
month. A power pile lifter is used less than once a month.
5. Spot and Spill Remover
Prompt removal
is necessary for all spots and spills. It must be done daily. Do not allow
spills to become permanent stains.
Spots and spills are removed daily.
Spots and spills are not removed daily.
6. Traffic Area Deep Cleaning
As soil
complexes begin to form from the interaction of oily and dry soils, it is
necessary to perform some traffic area deep cleaning. This eliminates soil
bonding, as well as restores brightness of color and vacuuming efficiency.
Carpet is cleaned when soil is barely noticeable. Carpet is cleaned when
soiling is noticeable. Carpet is cleaned after heavy soiling has
occurred.
7. Fluorochemical Carpet Protection
Carpet has mill-applied fluorochemical protection or if protectors have
been applied to installed carpets, and the treatment is reapplied to traffic
areas when carpet is cleaned. Carpet is protected. Carpet is not
protected.
8. Trained Personnel
The success of your
soil management program depends on the people who carry it out. They must
understand what they are doing and why they are doing it.
Maintenance
personnel have completed a carpet care training program. Maintenance
personnel have not completed a carpet care training program.
9. Appropriate Methods and Products
There
is not one perfect method for cleaning all carpets. You must select the
"tools" that are appropriate for your carpet and its usage, plus investigate
and test to find the cleaning products and methods that are most effective
and compatible with your carpet.
Tested methods and products are used.
Tested methods and products are not used.
Copyright 1996 E. I. Du Pont
de Nemours and Company. All rights reserved
