Keep your carpet just-like-new

Carpet may be one of the easiest types of flooring to take care of. Learn how to keep yours looking great over time with a simple care program:

• Preventive Maintenance – protect your investment before problems occur.
• Vacuuming – prolong the life and beauty of your floor.
• Spot and Spill Removal – be prepared for the unavoidable.
• Overall Cleaning – get regular care with cleaning systems.
• DIY Cleaning – get the right equipment to do it yourself.
• Stain and soil remover.

No carpet is absolutely stain proof

Some carpets have stain resistant treatments that improve your ability to clean stains, but not prevent them. Similarly, carpets with soil resistant treatments reduce the rate of soiling, but all carpets require regular care and maintenance.

The majority of stain complaints are actually soil related. For example, many sugar-based spills, such as soft drinks and coffee, leave a sugar residue after removal. This sticky residue readily attracts soil from ordinary shoe traffic, and the resulting discolored area appears to be a stain.

The same thing happens when spills are cleaned with a detergent solution and the area is not sufficiently rinsed with plain water, leaving a sticky detergent residue. It is important to rinse thoroughly with water and blot dry after removing any spill.

You will want to reference the manufacturer’s warranty for specific care requirements.

Protect the natural beauty of your Hardwood flooring

Hardwood products provide superior wear; easy, no-wax care; plus superior resistance to staining from all common household products such as coffee, shoe polish, lipstick, acetone, mustard, and more. A few simple maintenance steps, however, will help protect your investment and keep your Hardwood flooring looking like new.
For cleaning, make sure you…

Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your floor.

Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.

Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth.

Periodically clean the floor with Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner from DeHaan’s list of floor covering care products.

While cleaning is easy, there are a few things to avoid:

• Don’t use oil based, wax, polish, or strong ammoniated or abrasive cleaners.
• Don’t use steel wool or scouring powder.
• Don’t wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
• Don’t use any type of buffing machine.

Other routine care instructions:

For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. For tough stains, use DeHaan’s recommended Hard Surface Floor Cleaner. Do not use any type of buffing machine.

Use protective mats

Good quality entry and exit mats will help collect the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that can otherwise be tracked onto your flooring. Do not use rubber- or foam-backed plastic mats as they may discolor the flooring. To prevent slippage, use an approved vinyl rug underlayment.

Use floor protectors on furniture

Use floor protectors and wide-load-bearing leg bases/rollers to minimize indentations and scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the heavier the object, the wider the floor protector should be.

Maintain relative humidity level

Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level between 45 and 65% throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of wood.

Heating Season (Dry): A humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood stove and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.

Non Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner, dehumidifier or periodically turning on your heating system can maintain humidity during the summer months. Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.

Avoid sharp objects

While your Hardwood floor is one of the most wear resistant floors on the market, sharp or pointed objects can damage it nonetheless.

Watch your feet

Don’t walk on your flooring with stiletto-style heels, spiked golf shoes, or cleats. They may cause indentations in your flooring.
Watch your pet’s feet

Keep your pet’s nails trimmed to keep them from scratching your flooring.
Rearrange your rugs and furniture

Periodically rearranging your area rugs and furniture will allow the flooring to age evenly. UV sunlight will soften the tone of different species of hardwood to varying degrees.

Protect the floor when moving

Use a dolly when moving heavy furniture or appliances. But first, put down a sheet of quarter-inch plywood or Masonite to protect the floor. Never try to slide or roll heavy objects across the floor.

*These instructions exclude any type of hard-wax oil wood. Call DeHaan for further maintenance instructions.

Please be sure to reference your resilient-vinyl floor warranty for specific care requirements! For your general information, however, here are some basic tips and facts:

• As needed, sweep your floor to remove dirt and grit.
• Wipe spills promptly.
• Mop occasionally using a special cleaner we can recommend-just ask your sales associate for guidance.
• Avoid using detergent or soap-based products, which will dim the shine.
• Most resilient-vinyl floors have finishes that do not require additional buffing, shining, or waxing-these actions, in fact, might harm the finish.
• Resilient-vinyl floors can be slippery when wet, so use caution when walking on them after mopping.
• Be sure to add proper protection pads to any furniture legs on your vinyl floor. Items such as chairs, desks, couches etc.. these products can dent or scratch your new floor.

Please be sure to reference your laminate floor warranty for specific care requirements! For your general information, however, here are some basic tips and facts:

• Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor.
• For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
• Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
• Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care.
• Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
• Do not use any type of buffing or polishing machine.
• For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Please be sure to reference your tile floor warranty for specific care requirements! For your general information, however, here are some basic tips and facts:

• As needed, sweep your floor to remove dirt and grit.
• Wipe spills promptly.
• Damp mop once a week (or more often for heavy traffic areas) using a special cleaner we can recommend—just ask your sales associate for guidance.
• Make sure the cleanser you use is a neutral pH compatible with grout cleaning. Never use detergent or soap, which can dull the surface or promote mildew growth. Cleaners should never contain acids, vinegar, chlorines, or ammonia, as these chemicals can damage and discolor both the grout and the stone or tile.
• Use protective mats in entryways and pads under furniture legs.

Stone Care & Maintenance

Simply using these tips will ensure that your counter tops will retain their beauty for a lifetime. Cleaning your granite surfaces is very simple and easy; mild soap and warm water is recommended for daily use. Dry with a soft cloth to remove water spots, or you can purchase a daily stone cleaner that will leave your counter tops clean and streak free. A common home made cleaner will work just as good or better:

Homemade Granite Cleaner in Spray Bottle 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dish soap 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol 2 1/2 cups of water

About Natural Stone

Granite is a mined, natural stone composed of different minerals such as quartz, feldspar and mica. The process of these minerals being combined to form a solid stone offers a naturally beautiful counter top that is heat, stain and scratch resistant. However, due to the natural combination of these minerals, granite is also know to have pores, pits, fissures and veins which are all a part of the natural characteristic of granite and add to the incomparable beauty of natural stone.

Honed /Textured Granite: Please understand that HONED finishes can require more daily maintenance than some polished surfaces. With honed finishes, you may see metal marks, finger prints and other signs of daily use on darker honed material whereas lighter colors tend to hide or show less use. Most of these marks can be easily removed with little effort and proper cleaning products.

Staining

While Granite is highly stain resistant, substances such as oils, grease, acidic juices/wines and products that contain these substances can stain or darken your granite if not wiped up in a timely manner. Wiping spills will prevent potential stains from setting. Staining is very unlikely, but if it should occur, there are different options to remove the stain completely.

Scratching & Chipping

Under normal use Granite should not scratch or chip. It is safe to occasionally cut and slice on your counter tops. However, we recommend using a cutting board to keep from dulling your cutlery. Dragging very heavy objects, such as a tool box with dirt, grit or sand on its bottom may cause the granite to scratch.

If chipping occurs, it is normally on a straight polished or at your undermount sink edge. Chips can be repaired and polished out to return the surface to its prior finish.

Heat Resistance

Pots and Pans taken directly from your oven or stove top can be placed directly onto your granite counter tops. However, we still recommend the use of trivets or mats under hot dishes and place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch the surface. Other counter tops such as quartz are not as heat resistant.

Marble is a highly porous material that will stain, scratch, etch, chip and crack if not taken care of properly. Even properly taken care of marble tops will show use and these instances can, and probably will, occur. These materials are not recommended for kitchens and are better suited for vanities, tub decks and fireplaces or areas with low activity.

Do’s and Don’ts

• DO clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone cleaner

• DO clean and dry the surface after using soap and water

• Soak up spills in timely manner

• DO protect surfaces with non-slip mats on counter tops surfaces with coasters, trivets or placements

• DO use a razor blade to remove hard or tough build-up on your granite, such as glue or syrup.

• DON’T use straight vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing high levels of acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces

• DON’T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners on any stone surface

• DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleaners or soft cleansers

• DON’T mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.

• DON’T ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so.

If you begin to notice water spots darkening your granite, this is an indication that it needs to be re-sealed. Test your granite by leaving an ounce of water on your granite for an hour.

Quartz Counters-Care and Maintenance

Quartz is easy to maintain. It is a non-porous material that is highly resistant to stain, scratches and heat. However, it is not stain, scratch, or heat proof. Following the proper care and maintenance recommended by your professional Quartz distributor or installer will help keep your Quartz surface beautiful for many years to come.

Routine Care & Maintenance

Simply clean with soap and water on a regular basis to keep the lustrous gloss and radiant sheen. Use warm water and a damp cloth with a small amount of non-abrasive cleaner that does not contain bleach.

Although Quartz is resistant to stains, spills should be cleaned as soon as possible. Liquid spills from fruits, vegetables, or other foods should be wiped up and cleaned with soap and water.

Preventing Damages

Heat

Quartz is designed to be resistant to heat and can withstand exposure to normal cooking environment for brief periods of time without being damaged. Although Quartz withstands heat better than most surfacing materials on the market, all surfacing materials, including stone, can be damaged by extreme temperature changes, whether prolonged or sudden. Trivets and hot pads should be used when placing hot skillets, pans, crockpots or other heat generating kitchenware on the surface. Do not place hot pans, skillets, or crock-pots directly over a seam for an extended period of time as this can “pop” your seam apart.

Scratches

Quartz’s durable surface is designed to withstand normal use. While it is resistant to scratches, cuts, and chipping, cutting directly on the quartz surface should be avoided. Using cutting boards and taking care not to drop or move heavy objects on the surface will help to ensure long-lasting beauty.

Chemicals

Avoid exposing Quartz to any strong chemicals and solvents. It is important to note that some of these chemicals and solvents can be found in household items like paint removers, paint and stain strippers that contain trichlorethane or methylene chloride, nail polish removers, bleach, furniture cleaners, oil soaps, permanent markers or inks, and chemicals with high alkaline/PH levels (oven cleaners, drain openers, etc.). Avoid using cleaning products that contain oils, powders or abrasives.

Chemicals to Avoid

The below list of chemicals should be avoided with Quartz; however, the below list is not a complete list, and there may be other chemicals not listed here that may damage Quartz. The effect of any chemical usage on Quartz is ultimately dependent on the type of chemical, the length of exposure, and the degree of concentration.

• Oil soaps, bluing agents, dyes, stains, paint thinner or strippers.
• Solvents such as acetone, nail polish, lacquer thinner, or bleach (short-term exposure is acceptable for purpose of cleaning difficult stains-based on removing and rinsing applied area within 5 minutes).
• Chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene or methylene chloride  Benzene, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (M.E.K.)
• Concentrated acids such as hydrocyanic acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid.
• Chemicals with high alkaline/PH levels (pH > 10)

**If any of the substance listed come into contact with Quartz, rinse with plenty of water and follow routine cleaning procedures immediately.

Recommended Cleaners

• Simple Green
• 10x Stone Polish
• Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean
• Mild Soap and Water
• Denatured Alcohol
• Hopes Surface cleaner
• Rock Doctor cleaner

Please refer to your specific manufacturer’s care and maintenance information if you have any further questions.

Formica ® laminates do not easily scratch or chip and will withstand normal wear and tear. They are also stain resistant therefore the best cleaning agent for laminate surfaces is clean water and mild detergent. It is also recommended that you rinse detergent off with a clean, damp cloth and polish the surface dry with a soft cloth.

Streaks

Streaky marks sometimes show on dark colours and gloss surfaces. After cleaning use a glass cleaning product such as Mr Muscle Surface & Glass or Ajax Spray ‘n’ Wipe glass cleaners.

Grease

Clean, hot soapy water will deal with greasy marks. If needed, dab, wait and wipe away. Finish off with a glass cleaner.

Spills

With some accidental spills you must take prompt action. Wipe off beetroot and berry juices, first aid preparations, concentrated bleach, dishwasher detergents and artificial dyes or hair colouring immediately. Acid based ceramic cleaners, oven cleaner and limescale removers must not be used as they can cause permanent staining. Any spillage or splashes of these cleaners must be washed off the laminate surface immediately. Specialty glue types such as Super Glue can also be removed immediately with acetone (nail polish remover).

Scratches

Formica laminates will withstand normal wear and tear but can be damaged by scratching or cutting with utensils, knives and unglazed pottery. Darker colours and gloss surfaces show scratches more readily than lighter colours. To minimise scratching, always place and lift objects from the surface. Never drag or slide them across the surface.

Stains

If a stain cannot be removed with Ajax Spray ‘n’ Wipe try methylated spirits or dab the stain with a diluted bleach mixture (1 part bleach to 8 parts water). Leave for 3 minutes then wash off with water and dry. Finish off with Ajax Spray ‘n’ Wipe. Please note that bleach may irreversibly damage the laminate surface. Always be careful on laminate joins and edges as these products can break down the adhesive used to bond your Formica laminate to the substrate.

Ink marks from felt-tip and ball-point pens can be removed with a suitable solvent such as methylated spirits or acetone on a clean cloth. Solvents such as methylated spirits and acetone are highly flammable. Use with proper caution.

After using a cleaner, the surface should be rinsed with clean water and polished dry with a soft cloth.

Avoid

• Don’t place appliances or pots straight from the oven/stove directly on to your Formica laminate surface.
• Avoid scourers and abrasives. They will damage the surface.
• Furniture polishes should not be used, as a build up of silicone wax on the surface may result in eventual discolouration and smear marks which can be very difficult to remove.
• Don’t cut directly on Formica laminate surfaces.
• Don’t place burning cigarettes on to Formica laminate surfaces.