Course 455: Carpet and Upholstery Care

This online course covers the many kinds of carpet in use today. Explains the importance of preventive maintenance. Gives step-by-step explanations of the various carpet-cleaning methods available, explaining which is best to use on different types of carpet. Covers stretching, bleeding, insect attack, and many other carpet problems, and suggests remedies. Concludes with a lesson on upholstery fabrics and their care. 

Lesson 1 - Carpet Materials and Construction

Topics:

Carpet construction; Types of carpets; Carpet padding and installation; Carpet color

Learning 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 & Routine Carpet Cleaning

Topics:

Dirt-catching devices; Routine vacuuming; Vacuum cleaners; Static electricity treatment; Protecting carpet yarn from crushing

Learning 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:

Shampooing frequency, methods; Water extraction; Dry powder, foam shampooing; Wet foam shampooing; Sanitizing; Soil retardants

Learning 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:

Uneven wear; Rippling; Seam problems; Shedding and pilling; Bleeding; Fading; Rapid soiling; Crushing; Mildew; Electric shocks; Insect attack; Stains; Burns; Spot repairs

Learning 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:

Upholstery fabric types; Weave and texture; Nonwoven fabric; Padding and filling materials; Routine care; Shampooing; Special problems

Learning 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.