The care and love you give your easicarpet from day one will be returned in the enduring pleasure and warmth a well maintained carpet can provide. Also note that the various product guarantees require correct carpet maintenance.

Firstly it is important to note the difference between soiling and staining. Soiling is normal dirt - airborne, deposited on or trafficked into a carpet. A stain is a permanently coloured mark. easicarpet comes with mill applied and heatcured easicare soil resistant treatment for easier day-to-day carpet care. easifibre solution dyed yarn means the colour pigment is trapped inside the fibre, resulting in excellent colour fastness. For this same reason it is possible to remove stains on easifibre with a diluted bleach solution, making it stainproof.

BASIC CARPET CARE

1. Quality walk-off mats are recommended at entrances to reduce dirt and kitchen grease being walked into fitted carpets. To remain effective, clean these mats regularly and replace when necessary.
2. Use carpet protectors under heavy and sharp items such as furniture, rotating these periodically to allow pile to recover and helping to change traffic patterns which causes crushing and tracked in dirt.
3. Vacuum your carpet thoroughly and at least once daily in well used areas to prevent soil from settling into the pile where it will damage the fibre and could cause irreparable appearance loss. Ensure that your vacuum cleaner is well maintained and that the bag is changed regularly.
4. Remove spills and marks as soon as possible for better and quicker results.
5. Fortunately it is possible to remove marks and spills which have in fact stained an easicarpet, as the easifibre responds well to the alternative treatments listed herein.
6. If the above care is taken, your need for professional cleaning will be far less. However, do not wait until your carpet becomes too dirty before arranging a general clean by a reputable professional cleaner.
   * Remember that soil resistant treatment such as easicare is most effective if regular and correct maintenance procedures are followed from the outset.

SPOT REMOVAL PROCEDURES

1. It is most important to clean up spills and marks as soon as possible. The best method is to blot up liquids with white paper towels or white absorbent cloths. Scoop up solids with the blunt edge of a knife, a spoon or spatula, working inwards from the edge of the mark. Vacuum all dry matter.
2. 2 Never rub, scrub or brush a mark as this can spread it and damage the carpet pile. Take care not to damage the carpet's construction or to overwet the carpet.
3. 3 Make sure to remove sticky detergent residues which would promote resoiling.
4. 4 Do not rush - Deep soiling might require repeated cleaning as it could "wick" back after an initial clean. Allow the first clean to dry and vacuum well before repeating the procedure.
5. 5 If repeated treatment is not successful, contact a professional cleaner for assistance.
6. 6 Carpet cleaning powders are very effective for cleaning generally soiled areas such as main traffic routes.

For old stains, first loosen and remove dirt with a detergent solution, using a clean white cloth and work from the edges inward. Take care to remove all detergent residue with clean water. Then proceed with the recommended treatment.

1. Bleach and Water 
Mix a solution of 50% clear household bleach and 50% water in a spray bottle
Note: Use only clear, pure household bleach containing no additives. Perfumed bleach may be used. Spray the solution directly onto the carpet. Blot carpet surface with a clean white cloth, working from edges of the stain inwards. Repeat until the stain disappears but do not overwet. Spray with clean water and blot until bleach is removed. Blot off all excessive moisture with white paper towels or cloth. When completely dry, vacuum to restore pile texture.

2. Pure Acetone
Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting or scraping up. Apply a small amount of pure acetone to a white cloth. Never apply direct to carpet or overwet. Blot carpet surface, working from edges of the stain to the centre. Repeat until the stain disappears. Blot off all excessive moisture with white paper towels or cloth. When completely dry, vacuum to restore pile texture.

3. Dry-cleaning fluid
Procedure exactly same as in 2, but using dry-cleaning fluid instead.

PROFESSIONAL CARPET CARE
A well maintained carpet would require deep cleaning every year or two and these chemicals and machines are best left to reputable professionals. The most common method is hot water injection and extraction (often called steam cleaning). Carried out properly, it restores life to the carpet by removing ingrained dirt and by lifting flattened pile fibres. Ask for the approximate drying time and when you can safely use the carpets again. Try to select a warm, sunny day for cleaning, which should be done as early as possible in the day.

NOUWENS EASI-CARE PROTECTION

Nouwens Easi-Care carpet protector is applied during the manufacturing process and heat cured for durability. We use an environmentally friendly foam application method which reduces water and chemical wastage and ensures that this product meets the high Nouwens quality performance standards. Our Easi-Care treatment forms an invisible, durable shield around each fibre to help against everyday spills, and provides resistance to spills and soiling.

1. EASI-CARE RESISTS SOIL
   Dry soil does not adhere readily to treated fibres making
   regular routine maintenance and vacuuming more effective.
2. EASI-CARE CLEANS EASILY
   Stains and spills can be more easily removed.
3. EASI-CARE PRESERVES APPEARANCE
   The above means that everyday dirt is more easily removed, which keeps a carpet looking new for longer.
   

PLEASE NOTE that the advice given for easicarpet may not be recommended for other types of carpets not made of solution dyed easifibre. All advice is given in good faith and no responsibility will be accepted for claims arising from suggested treatments.

The following carpet care program will only be effective if started on a new carpet or one which has been restored by a good professional clean.

1.Quality walk-off mats are recommended at entrances to reduce dirt and kitchen grease being walked into fitted carpets. To remain effective, clean these mats regularly and replace when necessary.

2.Vacuum your carpet thoroughly and more frequently in well used areas to prevent soil from settling into the pile. Ensure that your vacuum cleaner is well maintained and that the bag is changed regularly.

3.Remove spills and marks immediately, prompt action will prevent the spillage from penetrating the fibre and becoming fixed. Refer to our guide for spot cleaning and our spot removal chart. Maintain heavy traffic routes with Nouwens carpet cleaning powder from time to time. (Capture and Duo Powder may also be used)

4.If the above care is taken, your need for professional cleaning will be far less.However, do not wait until your carpet becomes too dirty before arranging a general clean by a reputable professional cleaner.

*Remember that soil resistance treatments such as Easicare are most effective if regular and correct maintenance procedures are followed.

**Should you be unsure of, or unsuccessful with a treatment, please consult a professional before you do irreparable damage to your carpet.

***Complete Basic Nouwens Carpet Care Kits are available from selected Nouwens Appointed Dealers on our web register.