Below are some helpful tips on caring for and maintaining your FLOR. The beauty of FLOR's modular design is that it is easy and cost effective to clean and replace, unlike traditional carpeting. If you have further questions, please call FLOR Customer Care at 1.866.281.3567.

General Use

FLOR products are constructed of thoughtfully chosen materials that provide superior durability, stain resistance and colorfastness under typical living and environmental conditions. FLOR can be installed in virtually any indoor area that has a clean, hard, dry surface. FLOR should NOT be installed over carpeting or padding*, floors with hand painted or vintage varnish finish, unfinished waxed floors or outdoors. FLOR may be installed over smooth, fully-cured (minimum of 90 days) concrete floors. To seal concrete surfaces, use a non-solvent based sealer (from your local hardware store or home improvement center). Let the surface dry completely before installing FLOR. If you're unsure if FLOR will work for your surface, call Customer Care at 1.866.281.3567.

* FLOR has a firm, but flexible backing. Installation of FLOR over a soft subfloor or existing carpeting or rugs will cause the tiles to separate when weight is applied to the surface.

View our Wool Maintenance Guidelines & Instructions

Nature and the Elements

FLOR carpet tiles are more resistant to the effects of moisture than traditional carpet, and under normal use will not allow moisture through the face to the surface below. Instead, moisture will simply remain on the face of the tile until it is blotted with a clean, white cloth or until it evaporates.

FLOR products are not, however, completely impervious to nature's effects. Prolonged exposure to excessive moisture may cause some discoloration to the adjacent floor surface, as well as some mildew/mold growth (typically underneath the surface). Direct exposure to sunlight over a prolonged period may also cause some color fading. Please see FLOR's Installation Information and Warranty for further information.

If your FLOR product becomes submerged in water and moisture becomes trapped underneath the surface, your rug will need to be moved to allow the surface below to dry.

FLOR products are engineered to perform in normal use and conditions, and with simple maintenance and care will give you years of enjoyment.

Vacuuming

With regular vacuuming, your FLOR will maintain its appearance and provide many years of enjoyment. If your FLOR is the only soft surface in a room of hard flooring (e.g. wood, stone or ceramic), it may collect more than its fair share of dirt. So your vacuuming frequency should be adjusted to reflect this intensity of use.

Most soils and dust take the form of hard particles, which can damage the fibers of your FLOR. Vacuuming with a high quality vacuum cleaner and removing those particles before they damage the fibers is essential in order to prevent this damage.

For better soil removal, FLOR advises using a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar or brush to agitate and loosen any dirt or dust particles that might have infiltrated carpet. This will also keep your carpet pile standing upright and looking bright.

Vacuuming frequency is determined by use of the areas in question. Low traffic areas normally should be vacuumed once a week and extremely high traffic areas should be vacuumed daily. We recommend checking your vacuum's bag or canister or filters if vacuum suction is optimal.

Spot and Soil Removal

Proper vacuuming is the first key to maintaining a clean FLOR. Unfortunately no matter how well we vacuum unsightly spots and spills are bound to happen. Quick action is one of the most important factors in preventing an accident from becoming a permanent stain. If liquid is spilled on your FLOR, first blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth. Do not scrub the area. Scrubbing can damage and distort the fibers in the area of the spot. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. If the spill is a semi-solid, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed.

If a spot remains after the spill is removed, identify the spot. If you know the source of the spot, it is best to find a cleaner designed to remove that specific type of spot. A helpful list can be found at www.carpet-rug.com or purchase FLOR's Cleaning Kit.

Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet fibers and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

If no color change occurs, apply a small amount of the selected cleaning agent to a white cloth; allow sitting for a few minutes and working in gently. Blot the spot gently with the cloth. Work from the edges of the spot to the center to prevent the spot from spreading. Continue blotting the spot using the cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. Be patient. Complete removal of the spot may require repeating the same step several times.

After the spot has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water and blot with a dry cloth until all of the cleaning solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. If rapid soiling occurs, please refer to the directions that accompanied that cleaning agent.

General and Professional Cleaning

While vacuuming and spotting will cure most of the common problems with your FLOR, they are only steps in the overall maintenance process. Like other carpeting, over time FLOR fibers can become embedded with soil due to matting and substances such as grease and oil. These substances can trap dry particles and result in a dull and dingy looking carpet. When this occurs, normally 8-12 months after the product has been installed, a carpet cleaning professional should conduct a general cleaning.

FLOR recommends wet extraction or steam cleaning for nylon & polyester face fiber constructions. A dry extraction process is recommended for wool fibers. A wet cleaning will result in minor downtime of the floor as well as possible dampness in between tiles and surrounding areas. Dry extraction will result in less downtime and leave a very minimal chance for dampness.

If you prefer to clean your FLOR yourself, or if you only have a few tiles to clean, FLOR offers you other options.

1. Cleaning an individual tile
   FLOR tiles may be rinsed in a sink. Use a mild detergent and agitate the pile of the carpet with your fingers. Re-rinse the tile to make sure all soap residues are removed. Allow tiles to dry completely before re-installing your FLOR.


2. Dry cleaning
   We recommend a FLOR Cleaning Kit for dry cleaning. Please follow recommendations on kit.


3. Wet Extraction | Rental Equipment
   FLOR highly recommends the use of professional cleaners. The equipment and knowledge of professionals is generally superior to rental equipment. Drying times and risks of damage are minimized when a professional is used.
   
   If rental equipment is to be used please follow instructions on equipment and use a neutral ph detergent. Follow the mixing instructions of detergent carefully. A clean water rinse should be the final step of this cleaning process. Be careful. Do not over saturate carpet when cleaning or rinsing. Drying time can be lessened with the use of a fan.



WOOL MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS




FLOR's wool styles typically clean like most standard broadloom carpets. Please follow the guidelines set forth by WOOLSAFE North America for residential users.




There are three major concerns when caring for wool or wool blend carpet tiles.



1. Vacuum Cleaning: Regular vacuuming is crucial to prevent soil from penetrating to the base of the fibers. Wool has an inherent property that suspends soil near the top of the pile on the surface of the carpet face. Regular vacuuming will remove this surface soil and dirt, preventing it from working into the face and abrading/wearing the fibers.
   Care should be used when vacuuming shag styles. A vacuum without a beater bar or rotary brush should be used. This will prevent damage to carpet or vacuum. Higher end vacuums have separately controlled brushes or beater bars. These should be OFF when vacuuming. Check vacuum bag frequently as loose fibers are long and tend to clog the vacuum when approaching full.


2. Cleaning Products: Bleach or cleaning products containing Chlorine or Chlorine bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite/Calcium Hypochlorite) should never be used. Weakened solutions of bleach or bleach containing cleaners can release fiber dyes and discolor the wool carpet permanently. Full strength application of bleach or bleach containing cleaners will also dissolve wool fibers. Bleach solutions sell under names like Clorox, Purex, Javex etc. Wool blends tend to be less reactive to bleach, with only yellowing occurring on fibers. High PH cleaners tend to yellow carpet also.
   Wool carpet cleaners and care products should have the WOOLSAFE logo, as these have been tested and approved for use on wool and wool blend carpets and are most effective. Pay strict attention to chemical manufacturer labels, instructions for use and warnings. For a list of WOOLSAFE-approved carpet cleaner retailers near you, visit (http://www.WOOLSAFEusa.org/cleanprodsup.htm).




3. Cleaning Methods: When cleaning using water extraction or shampooing, do not over-wet the carpet. Use a low moisture extraction machine and make sure cleaning chemicals and moisture are adequately extracted from the wool carpet. Over-saturation can cause dye migration and cleaning residue will encourage rapid re-soiling. If shampooing, agitate carefully and use an approved WOOLSAFE shampoo / rinse that adequately lubricates the fibers. This will prevent felting of the face fibers. Make sure wool carpet is completely dry before walking on the carpet. If using a professional carpet cleaning, make sure they are aware the carpet is a wool or wool blend so they will have correct chemicals and processes. The PH level of any cleaning chemicals should be between 5 and 8, as high PH cleaners can damage fiber and promote dye migration or loss.
   Shampoo/Extraction should be done with a wand type machines on shag styles. Self contained carpet cleaning machines that employ rotary brushed should not be used to prevent damage to carpet and machine. A hand pile brush may be needed to restore correct pile angle on shag styles after cleaning.



SPOT AND STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE




A key factor in maintaining all carpet is to attend to spots, stains and spills as they happen. In this case, wool is no different. Quick attention to spots, stains and spills will ensure restoration, and reduce the chance of permanent staining or fiber damage. Refer to WOOLSAFE Spot and Stain Removal Guide below for instruction on removing a variety of spots and stains. It is imperative that excess liquids and semi-solids in spills be removed completely before using the Guide.




General rules for spot removal:



• Soak up liquids with kitchen roll, paper tissues, toilet roll, or absorbent cloth
• Scoop up or scrape off solids
• Try to identify unknown spots prior to treatment - if unsure, use solvent first
• Always work from the edge of the spot inwards
• BLOT, do NOT rub
• Apply small quantities at a time, applied to a cloth, NOT directly to the spot; work into the spot with a small brush or sponge
• Take care with applying solvents to bitumen-backed carpet tiles
• When using solvents always ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation
• Always thoroughly rinse afterwards if water-based spotters have been used
• Dry the spot, if possible, with a hair dryer



The Spot Removal Charts that follow contain methods for dealing with accidental spills and the order in which treatments should be tried.




The EASY SPOT chart contains those spills that come out relatively easily with the methods recommended or when the carpet is wet-cleaned.




The DIFFICULT SPOT chart shows those spills that are more challenging to remove and may require repeated attempts with stronger spot removers. Some stains you may find impossible to remove completely in which case the assistance of a professional carpet cleaner may be required.




EASY SPOTS       Spot or stain Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd Blood 5 6 3 Burn or scorch marks 13 14   Butter 7 5   Candle wax 8 7   Chewing gum 9     Chocolate/cocoa 5 7 6 Cola 3 5 6 Cream 7 5   Egg 5 6   Floor wax 7 5   Fruit juice 3 5   Gravy and sauces 5 6   Herbal tea 3 6   Metal polish 5     Mustard 5 6   Oil and grease 7 5   Paint (emulsion) 3 5   Shoe polish 7 5   Tea 3 5 6 Urine (fresh stain) 3 5 15

DIFFICULT SPOTS       Spot or stain Try 1st Try 2nd Try 3rd Artificially colored drinks 3 6   Bleach 3 17   C/heating radiator fluid 5 6 16 Coffee 6     Felt-tip pen 7 or 11 12 5 Furniture polish 7 5   Glue/adhesive 10 11   Ink (fountain pen) 3 6 5 Ink (ballpoint pen) 12     Lipstick 7     Milk 4 5 15 Nail varnish 10     Paint (oil) 11     Rust 16     Soot 6 5 2 Tar (asphalt) 7     Urine (old stain) 6 15   Vomit 5 6 15 Red wine 1 6

TREATMENTS GUIDE



1. Blot with white kitchen roll or paper tissues
2. Vacuum clean
3. Cold water
4. Warm water
5. WOOLSAFE -approved carpet shampoo solution (diluted)
6. WOOLSAFE -approved spot remover for water-based stains
7. WOOLSAFE -approved spot remover for greasy/oily stains
8. Absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron
9. Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)
10. Nail varnish remover or acetone
11. White spirit or turpentine substitute
12. Surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)
13. Rub with a coin
14. Rub gently with coarse sand paper




Treatments used by professional carpet cleaners



15. WOOLSAFE -approved disinfectant or deodorizer
16. Rust remover
17. Carpet re-coloring kit