Your Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining FLOR Carpet Tiles

Pre-Installation

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, any floors finished with a solvent based sealant, oil based finish, unsealed concrete, 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 866.952.4093.

*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. For more information view our complete Installation Guide.

Moisture

FLOR carpet tiles are fairly resistant to the effects of moisture, 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. However, if the spill occurs at the seam, it can wick under the tile, in which case, the tile(s) affected should be removed to clean.

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.

IDENTIFY YOUR SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE NEEDS

Just as various areas of your home, office, or space are subject to different uses, each area demands a different level of maintenance and care. Heavily trafficked areas such as entrances, hallways, or corridors require more frequent vacuuming and cleaning. Areas around doorways or desks may need more frequent attention to spills and stains.

SPOT CLEANING (NYLON CARPETS ONLY)

Daily removal of spots and spills helps maintain the carpet’s appearance between scheduled cleanings. Immediate action against spots and spills also reduces the probability of a permanent stain. It is important to use solutions that are appropriate for the specific type of spot or spill—water-based, oil-based, or solids, including gum. Use spotting solutions sparingly and always try to remove the spot with water only before using a spotting solution. If available, using a portable extractor will significantly improve the ability to remove spots.

CLEANING AN INDIVIDUAL TILE

To remove a single FLOR square, it’s best to pull up or fold over the rug exposing the backing. Then, with the backing side up and using a sharp blade like a carpet knife, carefully cut through each FLORdot™ to release the square. Do not try to pull or rip the squares apart using your hands or force. Doing so could result in damage or tears to the square itself. 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 residue are removed. Allow tiles to dry completely before re- installing your FLOR. New FLORdots should be applied each time a tile is removed. They can be applied in the same corner as the original FLORdot. Life gets messy, if you've got a spill on your FLOR rug, try our treatment recommendations for some of life's most common spots and stains.

FLOR carpet tiles may be maintained using a number of widely recognized and readily available carpet cleaning agents. For a list of Carpet and Rug Institute certified cleaning solutions, visit their website.

TILE REPLACEMENT

Tiles that become badly stained or damaged can be replaced. Tiles can be removed by carefully using a sharp blade, like a carpet knife, to cut through each FLORdot releasing the tile. Remove FLORdot from any tiles that remain. Do not try to pull or rip the tiles apart. Doing so could result in damage or tears to the tile itself. Replace the tile and use a new FLORdot. Be sure that the face fibers of surrounding tiles are brushed upright and that the replacement tile is installed carefully to prevent pile fibers from becoming trapped between joints. Replacement carpet tiles will likely have a newer appearance than the ones being replaced. If new tiles stand out in sharp contrast to surrounding existing tiles, you may want to shuffle them around. Place the new tile(s) in less visible areas and place existing tiles in a more visible area.

Spot Removal Guide

This guide offers methods for dealing with accidental spills on your FLOR rug. Some spots may be more stubborn than others and could require multiple cleaning treatments. This guide suggests the order in which cleaning methods should be tried.

Organic Stains

Blood

• First try: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

• Second try: cold water

Vomit

• General purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

Urine

• First try for fresh stain: cold water

• Second try or old stain: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

Adhesive, Wax, & Gum

Candle Wax

• First try: absorbent paper or paper tissue and hot iron

• Second try: general purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains

Floor Wax

• First try: general purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains

• Second try: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

Chewing Gum

• Chewing gum remover (solvent or freeze type)

Glue

• First try: nail varnish remover or acetone

• Second try: surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

Paint, Ink, and Cosmetic Stains

Paint

• For oil paint: surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

• First try for emulsion paint: cold water

• Second try for emulsion paint: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

Ink

• First try for felt-tip pen: general purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains or surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

• Second try for felt-tip pen: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

• First try for fountain pen: cold water

• Second try for fountain pen: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

• For ballpoint pen: surgical spirit (ethyl alcohol or ethanol)

Nail Varnish

• Nail varnish remover or acetone

Lipstick

• General purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains

Chemical Stains

Bleach

• Cold water

Burn or Scorch Marks

• First try: rub with a coin

• Second try: rub gently with coarse sand paper

C/Heating Radiator Fluid

• First try: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

• Second try: general purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains

Metal, Shoe, Furniture Polish

• For metal polish: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

• First try for shoe polish or furniture polish: general purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains

• Second try for shoe polish or furniture polish: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

Soot

• First try: general purpose spot remover approved for water-based stains

• Second try: vacuum clean

Tar (asphalt)

• General purpose spot remover spot remover for greasy/oily stains