This information deals specifically with natural plant fibres and although the methods can be used for the care and maintenance of wool products, other conventional methods can also be used on the wool range.

To ensure that natural floorcoverings keep their appearance it is necessary to maintain a regular cleaning routine including the immediate attention to any spillages.

Due to their nature, some natural fibre floorcoverings e.g jute and sisal (particularly the lighter shades), are prone to water marking when water is spilt onto them. To minimise the problem of aqueous borne stains and also to improve the overall staining properties of the product, Crucial Trading recommends that their natural floorcoverings are treated at the factory prior to despatch with INTEC, Crucial Trading’s stain inhibition system.

Maintenance

The use of a barrier mat, e.g. coir at the entrance to premises greatly reduces the amount of dirt being walked into an area. Natural floorcoverings are extremely absorbant and should therefore only be used indoors and away from areas of excessive moisture. Under no circumstances should they be wet shampooed or wet cleaned.

It is easier to remove surface dirt from a floorcovering than embedded dirt. A light cleaning with a non-beater bar vacuum cleaner will remove surface dirt before it becomes embedded in the floorcovering.

Because of their latex backing, which prevents dust and dirt build-up beneath the floorcovering, natural fibre floorcoverings offer fairly easy and basic maintenance and cleaning.

Crucial Trading recommends a suction cleaner without beater bars since the latter can cause some damage to the surface of the floorcovering.

In cases of heavy soiling with mud etc. the soil should be allowed to dry, then using a stiff brush along the weave structure, brush the soil and then vacuum with the suction cleaner.

Jute products or light coloured floorcovering are not recommended for areas susceptible to soiling or heavy use.

It is recommended that all areas fitted with natural floorcoverings be given a thorough vacuum at least once a week using a non-beater bar suction type cleaner.

In the case of severe spillages the Crucial Trading Care and Cleaning Kit is recommended. The kit comes complete with cleaning solutions, applicators and full instructions.

Prompt action when dealing with spillages will minimise staining. The cleaning kit is available from Crucial Trading and it is recommended that this be purchased at the same time as the floorcovering so that prompt action can be taken in the event of an accident.

As with all textile floorcoverings it is essential that correct installation techniques, materials, accessories and tools be used if a trouble-free installation is to be achieved.

The following instructions will assist in saving time on the installation and avoid costly call backs to carry out any remedial work etc. Prior to fitting, the floorcovering should be unrolled and examined for faults.

Valuable technical information is to be found in the following publications:

• BS 5325: 1996 Code of practice for the installation of textile floorcoverings

• Carpet Installation Manual published by RBI (Europe) Ltd for the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers

Installation

Click here for a picture led guide

: http://www.crucial-trading.com/Resources/Brochure/Guide_to_Natural_Floorcoverings.pdf

Before laying the floorcovering the subfloor should be checked to ensure that it is in good condition to receive the floorcovering. The subfloor should be clean, free from contamination, smooth and free from indentations and ridges which could have an effect on the appearance and wear of the floorcovering.

When installing floorcoverings onto concrete or cementitious subfloors it is extremely important that the subfloor is dry and that the relative humidity is below 75%. This can be checked using a Hygrometer or other specialist instruments such as a Protimeter.

Floorcoverings made from natural fibres readily absorb moisture and can change in dimensions. The fibres react to moisture in different ways, for example sisal and jute products tend to shrink. Coir, however, reacts to moisture by expanding which can lead to wrinkling and buckling.

On drying, coir tends to shrink, thus causing seams to open up. Extreme care in preparation must therefore be taken when installing these products.

Natural floorcoverings should be conditioned in the area in which they are to be laid for a minimum of 48 hours. It is recommended that the floorcovering is unrolled, laid out and cut to shape, but oversize by about 60mm to allow for changes in dimensions during the conditioning period. If site conditions do not allow for the carpet to be completely laid out it should be removed from any packing and loosely rolled so that air can circulate through the product.

Crucial Trading recommends two basic systems of installing their range of natural floorcoverings:

1. Direct adhesion to the subfloor