Armstrong Flooring Cleaning and Care Instructions: Carpet Tiles/Planks

Initial Care

1. Remove all debris and installation waste.
2. Allow 48 hours before vacuuming.
3. Remove all floor preparation materials, any adhesive residue from flooring and skirtings/kick boards. Adhesive residue may be removed using a clean white cloth dampened with small amounts of water or by following the adhesive manufacturer's instructions.

Cleaning Your Floor

Maintenance should be in accordance with the current AS/NZS 3733 "Textile Floor coverings – cleaning maintenance of residential and commercial carpeting".

Preventative Measures

Armstrong Flooring recommends taking care of your floor with the following:

• Floor protectors on furniture legs (felt type furniture protectors) and use of chair mats/pads under all desk chairs.
• Use of control mats at all doors that are external (front and back doors for example), foyers/hallways, lift and stairwell entries, vending machines and high spillage areas. Door mats should include a coarse external mat and a medium internal mat (minimum 3.5m walk-off zone). Mats should be cleaned frequently to prevent soil accumulating and being carried through to internal areas.
• Clean up spills as soon as possible.
• Any chemicals used on the carpet should be pre-tested on an inconspicuous area prior to use.
• Protect your floor from constant direct sunlight (install tint, drapes, curtains or blinds to windows).

Frequent and thorough vacuuming (preferably with a well maintained good quality vacuum cleaner with a power head and dual motors) is essential to minimise soiling and prolong life and appearance of the carpet tiles. Frequency will depend on traffic volume, but for heavy traffic areas should be daily to 2-3 times a week for lighter traffic areas.

Spot Cleaning/Spills

Spot cleaning should be carried out daily in accordance with AS/NZS 3733. Spills should be treated immediately as set out below:

1. Never rub or scrub the spill/stain as rubbing may cause fuzzing/texture damage – only blot/press. For each step, work from the outside of the spill to the centre to avoid spreading of the spill.
2. Immediately scrape off as much of the spill as possible, using a spatula/knife/spoon. Blot with an absorbent white paper towel.
3. Determine the appropriate method for stain removal as described in AS/NZS 3733 Stain Removal Guide. Pre-test any recommended cleaning agent/s on an inconspicuous area of the floor (or a spare piece) to ensure it does not mark. Apply the appropriate stain removal method working from the outer edge of the spill towards the centre.
4. Press the carpet dry with a clean white cloth/paper towel between each step in the treatment process to remove excess moisture.
5. After the stain has been treated, dry with several layers of white paper towel and prevent any traffic in the area until completely dry.

Periodic Deep Cleaning

Armstrong Flooring carpet tiles should be periodically cleaned using the hot water injection and extraction method (steam cleaning) with a smooth wand attachment, in accordance with the method described in AS/NZ 3733. Use of chemicals should be minimised. Deep cleaning should only be undertaken by a reputable professionally accredited floor covering cleaning company with experience cleaning carpet tiles. Care must be taken to ensure the carpet tiles are not over-wetted, which can lead to shrinkage, water collecting under the floorcovering, rapid resoiling and odour. Drying fans should be used to aid the drying process. Ensure the carpet tiles are completely dry before reintroducing foot traffic to minimize any potential carpet fibre damage and resoiling.

Frequency of deep cleaning is dependent on the level of traffic and amount of soiling. High traffic areas may require cleaning 2-4 times a year; light traffic areas only as required, which may be only every 1-2 years.

Contact Information

AU: customerservices@armstrongflooring.au
NZ: customerservices@armstrongflooring.co.nz