Carpet and Upholstery Care

Lesson 1: Carpet Materials and Construction

Topics

A Brief History of Carpet; Definition of Carpets and Rugs; Carpet Construction; Pile Yarn Fibers; Backing Yarn Fibers; Types of Carpets; Carpet Padding; Padding Materials; Carpet Installation; The Effect of Carpet Color

Objectives

• Name the different parts of a carpet and explain the function of each.
• Compare the natural and synthetic fibers used in carpet yarns, and list the advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Describe the construction of the major types of carpet.
• Explain why padding or cushioning is used under carpet, and describe the different padding materials, both natural and synthetic.
• Explain how problems can develop in a carpet that is not installed correctly.

Lesson 2: Preventive Maintenance and Routine Carpet Cleaning

Topics

Why Carpets Need Care; Keeping a Carpet Clean; Dirt-Catching Devices; Policing; Routine Vacuuming; Vacuum Cleaners; Routine Carpet Sanitizing; Static Electricity Treatment; Protecting Carpet Yarn from Crushing

Objectives

• Name the sources of soil that make a carpet dirty.
• Name the common types of dirt-catching devices, and explain how each works and where it is used.
• List the steps that you should take to police an area for preventive carpet maintenance.
• Explain how weekly vacuuming differs from daily vacuuming, and tell what kind of equipment is used for each.
• Name the parts of a vacuum cleaner, and explain how the vacuum works.
• Explain how to care for carpet in germ-sensitive areas.
• List conditions that lead to static buildup, and explain how carpets can be treated to prevent it.
• Describe the devices that prevent furniture and chair legs from crushing carpet yarn.

Lesson 3: Periodic Carpet Cleaning

Topics

The Need for Shampooing Carpet; Frequency of Shampooing; Shampooing Methods; Making an Area Ready for Shampooing; Water Extraction; Features of Water Extraction; Dry Powder; Features of Dry Powder; Dry Foam Shampooing; Features of Dry Foam Shampooing; Wet Foam Shampooing; Features of Wet Foam Shampooing; Periodic Carpet Sanitizing; Soil Retardants; Stain-Resistant Carpet

Objectives

• List the factors that help to determine how often you should shampoo a carpet.
• Name the four most common carpet shampooing methods.
• Explain how to make an area ready for shampooing.
• Describe each of the following shampooing methods: water extraction, dry powder, dry foam, and wet foam.
• List advantages and disadvantages of each of the above shampooing methods.
• Explain how to “set the pile” of a carpet after shampooing and tell why it is important.

Lesson 4: Carpet Care Problems

Topics

Carpet Problems Requiring Special Care; Uneven Wear; Stretching, Buckling, and Rippling; Seam Problems; Shedding, Sprouting, and Pilling; Bleeding; Shading; Color Fading; Rapid Soiling; Crushed Pile Yarns; Mildew; Electric Shocks and Sparking; Insect Attack; Stain Removal; Cigarette Burns; Spot Repairs

Objectives

• Describe several ways of dealing with uneven carpet wear.
• Define the terms stretching, buckling, and rippling.
• Describe the problems that can occur in carpet seams.
• List the carpet problems commonly handled by a custodian as well as those that require the services of an expert.
• Explain how the problems of shedding, sprouting, and pilling differ.
• Name the five most common causes of rapid carpet soiling.
• Explain how to repair crushed pile yarns, cigarette burns, and mildew in carpet.
• Explain the step-by-step procedure for removing an unknown stain from a carpet.

Lesson 5: Upholstery Care

Topics

Types of Upholstery Fabrics; Natural Fiber Materials; Synthetic Fiber Materials; Properties of Yarns; The Importance of Weave and Texture; Nonwoven Fabrics; Padding and Filling Materials; Routine Upholstery Care; Shampooing Upholstery; Upholstery Treatments; Upholstery Problems

Objectives

• List the natural and synthetic fibers most frequently used in upholstery fabrics.
• Name the tasks that you should perform as part of daily and weekly upholstery care.
• List the procedures and materials that you should use to remove stains from upholstery.
• Explain why it is important to know what padding or filling materials are underneath upholstery before you shampoo it.
• Describe the step-by-step procedure for preparing to shampoo upholstery.
• Describe wet foam, dry foam, water extraction, and liquid dry cleaning shampooing methods.
• Explain how to solve common upholstery problems, and recognize when to call an expert.