How often should I vacuum my carpet?

A rule of thumb is one time per week per member of your household. It is recommended to vacuum the entire area a minimum of twice per week to remove loose soil while it remains on the surface of the carpet and before it has had the opportunity to be worked into the pile by foot traffic.

What works best for treating spills on my carpet?

First, act quickly! Blot the spill with a dry, white, towel. Do not SCRUB! Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make sure it will not damage the fibers. Apply a small amount of the cleaner (less is more) to a white cloth, work in gently, let stand for 10 minutes. Working from the edges of the spill toward the center, absorb as much as possible by blotting. It may be necessary to reapply and repeat. Once the spill has been removed, rinse the area thoroughly with cold water and blot dry with a clean white towel. For specific spot removal instructions, visit www.carpet-rug.org.

Does my new vinyl really need an underlayment?

In most cases, yes. The purpose of the underlayment is to provide a clean, smooth, near-perfect surface for the new vinyl to adhere to. Vinyl will magnify any imperfections in the underlying floor or could eventually transfer the embossed pattern from an existing vinyl to the new floor. Removing existing vinyl to reuse an underlayment is usually unsuccessful, because the underlayment is either damaged in the process or covered with glue residue which shows through the new floor.

How should I clean my new vinyl floor?

Each vinyl manufacturer makes a no-rinse cleaner intended for no wax floors. It differs from grocery store brands in that it does not contain oily residues that can cause a film to develop on your floor or cause soil to cling to the surface. Do not use dishwashing liquid; it contains an oily residue.

How do I care for my leather furniture?

Avoid placing your furniture near heat sources or near windows or other places that will expose it to direct sunlight. Keep the surfaces free of dust and spills. Apply a leather conditioner/protection cream several times a year to help resist staining and soiling and to improve clean-ability and prevent dryness.

What do the terms pigmented, semi-aniline, and full aniline mean?

Pigmented and semi-aniline leathers are dyed, then have another coat of pigment or a topcoat applied to provide more consistent coloration and resistance to staining. Pigmented and semi-aniline leathers give superior performance when used by an active family household. They also resist the fading effects of sunlight longer than full aniline leather.

Full aniline leather is not protected by extra pigment or topcoats. Transparent dyes are applied to the hide to give it color while maintaining natural markings, unique patterns, and suppleness. Full aniline leather is durable, yet more susceptible to penetration of fluids and body oils. It is best used where constant use and spills are not the norm.

For optimum performance from your upholstered furniture, vacuum and rotate cushions frequently. Avoid placing in direct sunlight. Clean up spills as they occur. Ask your sales associate for the cleanability code of your fabric.

Code S:

Spot clean only with a water-free cleaning solvent. Pre-test a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. DO NOT USE WATER. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry-cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Overall cleaning by a professional furniture cleaning service only is recommended.

Code W:

Spot clean only with water base upholstery shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Pre-test a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not over wet. Do not use solvents to spot clean. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion covers should not be removed and laundered. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Use a professional furniture cleaning service when an overall soiled condition has been reached.

Code WS:

Spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or mild dry cleaning solvent. Pre-test a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion casings should not be removed and laundered or dry cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Clean spots or stains from the outside to the middle of the affected area to prevent circling. Use a professional furniture cleaning service when an overall soiled condition has been reached.

Code X:

Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush. DO NOT USE ANY WATER OR SOLVENT BASED CLEANER.

With a little TLC and some common sense, genuine hardwood furniture will last several generations. Dust often with a soft cloth following the grain of the wood to remove everyday abrasive particles from the surface. Surfaces can also be cleaned with a mild non-alkaline soap and water. Dry and buff immediately, following the grain. Don’t slide objects across the surface when dusting, as they may leave scratches.

Solid hardwood furniture is constructed from wood that is carefully dried, retaining the proper amount of moisture to acclimate to the relative humidity in your home. Wood furniture continues to exchange moisture with the air in your home, shrinking and expanding as relative humidity changes. Hardwood furniture will respond to extremely dry air by losing moisture and shrinking a bit. A few tiny openings may appear on a solid wood surface or the halves of a dining table may part slightly. This will correct itself as the relative humidity rises; the wood absorbs moisture and expands slightly. A home humidifier may also be necessary during the winter months when supplemental heat is used.

During the summer months, humidity may get too high if you don’t have an air conditioner or dehumidifier. Your wood furniture will absorb excess moisture from the air and expand. This could cause drawers to stick or table leaves to not fit properly. The quality and sturdiness of your furniture is not affected by these natural changes that will correct themselves once the relative humidity returns to 25-30%.

Do turn your mattress frequently – end over end and upside down once every two weeks for the first three months of use, then once every two months thereafter to maximize its conformance to your body. The materials used in the mattress are designed to conform to your body’s contours, so body impressions are to be expected. This is normal; it is not a suggestion of structural defects.

Do carry your mattress flat on its side. It’s easier to handle and less likely to damage the mattress.

Do keep your bedding clean. We suggest using a mattress pad, especially if children use the bed.

Do replace the foundation when purchasing a new mattress. An old foundation may not provide sufficient support. It may appear that your new mattress is sagging when it is really the foundation which supports the entire mattress.

Do use an appropriate frame and center support for Queen and King size sets. Using a support frame will validate your warranty.

Don’t place near open flame or expose to fire. Bedding is not flame- or fire-proof and can burn rapidly and emit smoke and hazardous gases.

Don’t smoke in bed. Bedding is manufactured as required by federal law to resist, but not necessarily eliminate, ignition by smoldering cigarettes.

Don’t let anyone stand or jump on your mattress.

Don’t allow your mattress to get wet.

Don’t place a board between your mattress and foundation.

Don’t bend your mattress under any circumstances. Flex rather than bend when going through doorways, and don’t bend the corners when putting on fitted sheets. Such treatment may damage the innerspring unit.

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