For carpets, the holiday time can be tough. This is when cold winter weather, snow, and ice may make their debut, along with much heavier foot traffic due to parties and gatherings in both residential and commercial facilities.
 
That's why each year U.S. Products, manufacturer of carpet extractors, releases its annual "holiday carpet care tips" so carpet cleaning technicians and cleaning professionals can help keep their customers' carpets clean and healthy this busy time of the year. This year's tips include: 

• Advise customers to avoid serving red wine, colas, or juice. White wine, champagne, or light colored drinks should not stain carpets.

• If candle wax has hardened on carpets, scrape off as much as possible using a dull knife or paint scraper. Place a white cloth or several layers of paper towels over the wax and apply a warm iron. The wax should transfer to the cloth or paper towel.

• Install mats outside and immediately inside residential and commercial facilities.       Also, cover carpeted walkways, especially in food and beverage gathering areas.

• Increase vacuuming frequencies and vacuum in multiple directions; this helps remove embedded dry soils as well as restores the carpet knap.

• Spot immediately, even during a holiday event,to help prevent staining. A quick and safe way to treat fresh spills is to blot the area using a white cleaning cloth, use cold water, and a small amount of dishwashing detergent; then, blot dry.

• For older spills or spots, first try to identify the spill-a critical step - and then use the appropriate spotter

Finally, "have carpets professionally cleaned right after the holiday season," says Bob Abrams, Carpet Care product manager for Nilfisk-Advance commercial business, maker of U.S. Products brand professional carpet extractors.
 
"Using equipment that heats the cleaning solution improves the effectiveness of the cleaning chemicals [and is] an effective way to help keep carpets clean and healthy into the New Year."