Did you know that there are different methods of cleaning different types of carpets? Because every carpet is not created with the same materials it is very important to know how to clean and care for them. We found this article from Angie’s List that highlights some of the most common carpet materials and their respective cleanability!
Learn essential carpet cleaning tips for Berber carpet, frieze and other types of flooring.
arpet cleaning can be a daunting task, especially if you have pets or children.
Soil and moisture are easily absorbed by carpet fibers. Once they’re ground in — over time or thanks to wear and tear — they may never come out.
While regular vacuuming helps mitigate the problem, sometimes a thorough carpet cleaning is necessary. Most professional carpet cleaners agree that carpets should be cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
But are certain types of carpet easier to clean? And what about stain-resistant carpets? Can they really do what they promise? Here are some tips on getting your rug looking clean again.
Cleaning Berber carpet
Generally, the bigger the carpet loop, the easier it will be to clean.
Berber carpet with large loops are the easiest because dirt and other pollutants aren’t able to penetrate much deeper than the loops they touch.
But these types of carpets also can show wear and tear more easily, especially if you have pets that pick at the loops.
“You should clean it when it looks dirty,” says James Marsh, owner of Top Notch Carpet Cleaning in Portland, Oregon. “Some of my customers clean their carpets every three months, and some do it every five years. I suggest vacuuming once or twice a week, depending on whether or not you have pets.”
Stains may reappear a few days after cleaning, requiring another cleaning, but Berber carpet with large loops are still one of the easiest to maintain.
Cleaning frieze carpet
Frieze carpet, meanwhile, doesn’t look as dirty as Berber carpet but can conceal a great deal more dirt.
Because frieze carpet is made up of small, twisted fibers that don’t stand upright, it can easily absorb and distribute stains, making it appear clean to the naked eye.
Vacuuming will remove some of the deposited matter in this type of carpet but can’t get it fully cleaned, meaning a dry or steam clean solution may be the only way to remove long-term stains.
Not all types of frieze carpet are equally good at concealing stains, especially nylon or wool carpet. Polyethylene terephthalate and polyester fibers aren’t quite so good at concealing stains and won’t last quite as long. Nylon and wool are also more expensive.
“Wool carpets are always tricky to clean,” adds Nathan Norman, owner of Double N Services in Mableton, Georgia. “If you’re not careful and use the wrong solution, they tend to shrink.”
Marsh recommends nylon carpet, saying it’s easier to maintain.
“When you buy a carpet, choose nylon,” he says. “Acrylic carpets are made from recycled plastic such as soft drink bottles. They’re stain resistant, but traffic patterns will crush the carpet within its first year. Wool carpets wear the best, but they have to be cleaned differently, and in my opinion, it’s not worth the extra cost.”
Consider the carpet pad
Part of what makes a carpet stand up to stains or start to look awful after only a few years is the carpet pad.
Carpet pad comes in a variety of “weights.” Heavier is better, as it provides a softer feel when the carpet is walked on and will wear less over time. A five-pound underlay, for example, is common in show homes and may be cheaper but it won’t last long. Ten-pound underlayment, especially for stairs and other high-traffic areas, can significantly improve a carpet’s life.
Carpet padding also can affect how a carpet looks. Low weight, foam-based underlay will readily absorb stains and may make it appear as though a carpet is dirty even if it’s not. Higher quality products made of foam chips and recycled rubber, meanwhile, can make sure any stain stays with the carpet.
Stain-resistant carpet
Some carpets claim to be stain resistant, and this can take one of two forms.
Nylon frieze carpet is often marketed as stain resistant because its fibers are so tightly packed that it naturally fends off stains so long as anything spilled is immediately cleaned. Other stain-resistant carpets are sprayed with a chemical compound that makes them resistant to stains by creating a barrier between their fibers and whatever touches them.
It’s important to note, however, that no carpet is stain proof. Any spills must be immediately wiped up. If left to settle, they will eventually stain, no matter what the carpet is made of or how it has been treated. Stain-resistant carpets are often cost effective and long lasting, but they are by no means carefree.
For the rest of this article and many more helpful articles and tips, go to angieslist.com. If you are unsure of how to clean the carpet type you have in your home or office, don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can schedule an appointment to come clean your carpet for you!