Dalton—Shaw Industries has revised its residential carpet warranties to require the use of CRI Seal of Approval products for cleaning supplies and equipment for carpet manufactured after Jan. 1, 2007.

Effective Jan. 1, 2008, the company will also require the use of IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) Certified Firms when using professional cleaning services.

The CRI Seal of Approval Program was established to test and certify the performance of products and equipment used in carpet cleaning, noted Carey Mitchell, Shaw’s director of technical services. “Years of research has shown about half the carpet spot removal and cleaning products in the marketplace don’t clean any better than water and may also leave soil-attracting residues. The results of the use of these products have been shown to be a major source of consumer dissatisfaction with carpet. The CRI program offers consumers an easy way to locate products that work well and don’t damage their investment in carpet.”

The new requirements have been included under “Home-owner Obligations” in Shaw’s residential warranty booklet covering its Three-, Four- and Five-Star warranties. Revised wording addressing the changes is included in the company’s homeowner requirement that periodic cleaning by hot water extraction be performed at least once every two years. Whether the consumer elects to have the cleaning performed by a professional cleaning service or with a do-it-yourself system, the equipment must be “certified under the Carpet & Rug Institute’s Seal of approval program.”

The additional IICRC wording reads as follows: “Effective Jan. 1, 2008, professional service must be performed by an IICRC certified firm.” The firm must have at least one IICRC Certified Technician on all job sites, must have a business license, must carry both general liability and workers compensation insurance (where required), have an approved consumer complaint policy, and must agree to adhere to the IICRC code of ethics.

Additional text cautions consumers on spot removal products:

“Research has shown that many products sold for do-it-yourself spot removal clean poorly and their residues attract soil on the cleaned area rapidly afterward. CRI’s Seal of Approval program tests and certifies products that meet stringent standards and thus clean effectively without damage to your carpet.” The CRI Web site, www.carpet-rug.org, is listed for reference to these products.

Shaw has also made changes to its “Carpet Care” brochure. Under its vacuum cleaner recommendations, the mill now advises consumers to make sure their vacuums are certified through CRI’s Green Label. “This information reflects years of carpet cleaning research and testing and provides a firm foundation for proper maintenance that will enhance and extend a carpet’s useful life,” Mitchell said.

For more on Shaw and how its new warranties will affect you, call 706.275.2200.