The Maintenance Program

It's important to measure the effectiveness of your carpet maintenance program. After all, if your maintenance program isn't appropriate for the amount of traffic the carpet receives, the carpet's appearance may quickly deteriorate, requiring an early replacement. The Carpet Maintenance Index uses nine key factors to rate a maintenance program. After each one, select the statement that best applies to your existing maintenance program and enter the score number that follows in the box provided.

Note: Proper carpet selection is your first line of defense in minimizing the appearance of soil. This Index assumes you have selected the right carpet for your environment. See How To - Select Your Carpet to learn more about proper carpet selection.

1. Fluorochemical Carpet Protection
Carpet may have fluorochemical protection applied by the mill during the manufacturing process or it may have been applied after the carpet was installed.

• I have a carpet of Antron® Nylon with built-in DuraTech® soil resistant treatment (score 10)
• I have a carpet that is made of another fibre system with mill-applied fluorochemical protection
  (score 5)
• I have a carpet with a field-applied soil resistant treatment
  (score 2)
• My carpet does not have fluorochemical protection
  (score 0)

2. Soil Collecting Barriers/Mats
Soil collecting barriers and mats remove soil from shoe soles before it can be tracked onto a carpet. The barriers must be cleaned and rotated regularly to prevent soil build-up that will spread to the carpet.

• I have soil collecting barriers/mats at all entrances
  (score 5)
• I don't use soil collecting barriers/mats at entrances
  (score 0)

Vacuuming is the most important soil management procedure. Effective vacuuming removes soil so that it cannot spread through the carpet. The level of effective vacuuming has two components, the type of equipment and the frequency of use.

3. Vacuuming Equipment

• I use a dual-motor upright vacuum and regularly change the filter bags
  (score 10)
• I don't use a dual-motor upright vacuum and/or do not regularly change the filter bags
  (score 0)

4. Vacuuming Frequency: Heavy/Moderate Traffic Areas

• My high traffic areas are vacuumed daily
  (score 10)
• My high traffic areas are vacuumed 3-4 times per week
  (score 5)
• My high traffic areas are vacuumed less than 3 times per week
  (score 0)

5. Vacuuming Frequency: Low Traffic Areas
Vacuuming of the low-traffic areas of your carpet is also necessary. It removes airborne soils, while preventing long-term soil build-up and the need for frequent general cleaning.

• My low traffic areas are vacuumed 3 times per week
  (score 5)
• My low traffic areas are vacuumed 1-2 times per week
  (score 2)
• My low traffic areas are vacuumed less than 1 time per week
  (score 0)

6. Spot and Spill Remover
Prompt removal is necessary for all spots and spills. It must be done daily. Do not allow spills to become permanent stains.

• My spots and spills are removed 3 times or more per week
  (score 5)
• My spots and spills are not removed daily
  (score 0)

7. Cleaning Frequency
Regular cleaning is necessary to prevent the dry and oily components of soil from bonding together and building up within the carpet. Regular cleaning will restore original colour.

• My carpet is cleaned with regular frequency before soiling becomes noticeable
  (score 10)
• My carpet is cleaned when soiling is noticeable
  (score 5)
• My carpet is cleaned only after heavy soiling is visible
  (score 0)

8. Trained Personnel
The success of your soil management program depends on the people who carry it out. They must understand what they are doing and why they are doing it.

• My maintenance personnel have completed a carpet care training program
  (score 5)
• My maintenance personnel have not completed a carpet care training program
  (score 0)

9. Appropriate Methods and Products
There is no one perfect method for cleaning all carpets. You should select cleaning products and methods that are most effective and compatible with your carpet and its traffic levels.

• The cleaning methods and products used in my facility visibly remove soil and reduce carpet resoiling
  (score 10)
• A carpet manufacturer recommended the cleaning methods and detergents we use to visibly remove soil, but they may cause or contribute to carpet resoiling
  (score 5)
• Our cleaning method does not visibly remove soil
  (score 0)
• Our cleaning methods and products are not recommended by a carpet manufacturer or I do not know which cleaning methods or detergents are used in my facility
  (score 0)

Press "Total" to calculate the maintenance index of your carpet or "Reset" to reset this form.

Your Maintenance Index is

Congratulations, you have a successful carpet maintenance program that will keep your carpet looking its best now and will continue to do so for a long time. This will ensure that the life-cycle costs of your carpet will be the lowest possible.
Maintenance Index scores between 51-70

Your carpet is receiving a moderate amount of cleaning. The carpet has a good appearance, but it may deteriorate prematurely due to soiling.
Maintenance Index scores between 26-50

The appearance retention of your carpet is only marginal or less-than-marginal due to inadequate carpet maintenance. Life-cycle costs will be high since the carpet may have to be replaced earlier than anticipated.
Maintenance Index scores between 0-25