June 2004

Q: How can I keep my carpets "healthy"?

A: Your question seems open ended - are you asking about the health or service life of your carpet, or are you asking about keeping them clean for your family's well-being? Really, there is little difference. Both goals are reached through the same process.

Carpets have been likened to an extension of your furnace filter. In a home with forced air, hot air is pushed from the register to the ceiling. Dust and contaminants then fall to the floor and are held there by carpet fibers. This is a very important benefit of having carpets. It keeps these things from cir- culating back into your breathing zone. But, like a furnace filter, it must be maintained and cleaned regularly, or it could become a factor for indoor air pollution.

A carpet cleaner that is concerned about making your carpets as clean as possible will offer the following:

-use a method that leaves few residuals. These would include soap, dust mites, pollen, etc.
-uses a cleaning agent with a low vapour content, and is not potentially harmful.
-carpets dry quickly. When they are wet for longer than 24 hours air quality problems can develop.
-has independently verified industry credentials for safe and effective techniques.

How can I tell if my carpets have been cleaned properly?

Your newly cleaned carpets will have a "soft hand." Plush carpets will feel fluffy. Stiff carpets, especially if they seem crunchy when walked on, contain soap residuals. These will eventually become airborne and respirable. They will also damage your carpet and cause rapid resoiling.

On occasion, dark spots may appear a day or two after cleaning. Don't panic! Especially with deep, restorative type cleaning, some things may be pulled up from the underlay or even the sub-floor. Let your cleaning technician know as soon as possible.This situation is called wicking, and can usually be resolved very quickly.

Be sure to check on the cleaner you are considering by phoning the IICRC at
1-800-835-4624 and ask if they are a certified firm. Then ask if they have training in the field of residential carpet care. The IICRC is the certification body recognized by mfgrs in North America for verifying credentials in this industry.

If you would like more information, please feel welcome to call Les Graham - Graham's Carpet Cleaning
(403) 952-0318.
IICRC certified
Master Textile Cleaner
Master Restoration Tech
Graham's - an IICRC Certified Firm