Types of Carpet

The carpet market is a vast market, with many types

to choose from. Below, you'll find the several

different types of carpet and what they will offer

you and your home.



Woven

Woven carpet is produced on a loom that is very

similar to woven cloth, being cut pile. There

are many different colored yarns being used and the

entire process is capable of producing very intricate

patterns from designs that are pre-determined.

Normally, woven is the highest quality of carpet

on the market.



Tufted

This type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine

by using either a single colored or sometimes a

non colored yarn. If non colored is being used,

then the carpet will be dyed or printed with a

design as a separate process. Carpets that are

tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a

combination of both. Machines can produce a lot

more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are

normally at the lower end of the market.



Needlefelt

The needlefelt type of carpet is a bit more

technologically advanced. They are produced by

electrostatic attraction of individual fibers

that form a unique carpet with extremely high

durability. You can normally find needlefelt

carpet in the contract market such as in hotels

or other places where there is always going to be

a lot of traffic.



Flatweave

The flatweave carpet is created by interlocking

warp and weft threads. The types of oriental

flatwoven carpet include soumak, plain weave,

and tapestry weave. This type is not well known

in the North American region, although it is

very popular in the orient and Japan.



Hooked rug

This is a simple construction of rug that is

handmade by pulling strips of cloth such as

wool or cotton through the meshes of a very

sturdy fabric. Now, this type of rug is generally

known as a handicraft.



Knotted pile

With knotted pile carpets, the structural weft

threads will alternate with a supplementary

weft that will rise from the surface of the

weave at a perpendicular angle.



Cut and loop piles

The cut and loop pile combines both looped and

cut fibers. They provide a variety of

surface textures for medium durability. Cut

and loop carpets are available in either solid

or different colors. The several different layers

in this carpet can hide dirt and footprints in

formal and informal areas.



Saxony

Saxony consists of tightly twisted cut piles

that are heat set straight. They consist of

two or more fibers that have been twisted

together in a yarn, and they provide a very

soft texture for informal as well as formal

areas. They will show each and every footprint

and even marks from vacuum cleaners.



Textured saxony

Textured carpet is the best selling and it

works well in informal areas due to the very

soft feel. They are tightly twisted and

texture headset for medium durability. They

also offer a multi colored look that will

hide tracks and footprints.



Plush/velvet

Both plush and velvet are lightly twisted and

offer a uniform color. They are very soft

and offer more level than textures. This type

of carpet is ideal for formal areas due to

it's luxurious appearance.



Frieze

Frieze is a highly twisted cut pile type of

carpet that is suited for high traffic areas.

It has short fibers that will tend to curl

in different directions at the surface to

hide footprints and vacuum marks.



Level loop pile

The level loop pile is constructed by weaving

even loops of yarn into carpet backing at both

ends. This type of carpet is durable as

well as track resistant, due to the strong

loops. Higher loops in the carpet will create

a more luxurious look. They are also great

because they will prevent dirt from filtering

Todays Carpet Trends

Going beyond beige

Long ago, when the choices of carpet were limited

to basic beige, the designers tended to treat it

more often than not as a neutral background for

rooms. These days, with numerous patterns, textures,

and colors to choose from, the carpet is quickly

emerging as the focal point in many interior

designs.



Although you may think the need for neutral carpet

has faded away, it hasn't, as Berber is still an

excellent choice. Unlike the plain choices of the

early 1990s, the versions of today offer more

pattern and texture. Even the traditional types

of Berber carpet offer more visual interest with

more extreme differences in pile being cut thicker,

with deeper loop textures.



Color being sprinkled against a neutral background

will add interest and dimension while helping to

mask spots and spills. The flecks of color are

now appearing against tan, beige, and cream type

backgrounds as well as in other neutrals as well.



Colors and textures

The major shift in new products is going towards

layered color and softer texture in carpet. The

combination of pattern and texture will always

be a popular choice simply because it minimizes

soil and vacuum marks. The other advantage here

is that the color and texture offer a more

distinct styling and plenty of fashion appeal

as well.



The new products are rapidly changing the

perception of carpet as not only being a

background to showcase other furnishings to

the possibility that the carpet can become a

focus for design as well.



Construction

The new manufacturing capabilities have produced

several new looks with carpets that are constructed

with cut and loop yarns. Some examples include

bows, swirls, lattices, plaids, pin dots, and

several others.



By taking advantage of these choices, you can add

a great deal of interest to the room and in

sequence with the florals, stripes, and other

patterns on windows and furniture. The carpet

pattern and texture will also increase the

perception of quality and value in the carpet,

and will add a much broader element to the

surroundings as well.



These days, carpets can do more than just protect

your sub floor. They can add a new level of

comfort and warmth to your home, with literally

thousands of choices available. Carpet is

easier than ever to clean as well, making it

more than worth worthy of being in your home.



With several different trends and new and exciting

colors to choose from, the carpets of today

can make your house come alive. The carpets

will add new meaning to your rooms, making you

appreciate your home even more. If you have

older carpet in your home now, you shouldn't

wait another minute to upgrade. Once you take

a look at all of the choices you have, you'll

want to get that new carpet in now - as your

floor with want to thank you as well!

Synthetic Fiber Carpet

Nylon

The fiber nylon was introduced first by the DuPont

Chemical Company in 1938. Several years later, after

a great deal of development, nylon became the first

synthetic fiber to be used in the entire carpeting

industry.



The first 3 generations of fiber experienced many

problems with the worst being staining. The 4th

generation fiber of nylon had a mill applied coating

that solved a majority of the staining problems. The

ability of the fiber to repel water and oil based

spills as well as soil helped to propel nylon into

the top selling carpet fibers out there.



After several other changes, the DuPont company

introduced the fifth generation nylon fiber. This

stain resistant fiber would repel most dye stains

if treated in a reasonable time. This fiber is

more accurately called an acid dye blocker in that

it doesn't allow acid dyes to penetrate and stain

the fiber.



The protective coating mill is applied and fills the

dye sites with anionic molecules.



Tip

An easy way to test fiber for the presence of a

fluorochemical is to cut a couple of fibers from a

non traffic area and apply a few drops of oil and

water mixture. If it beads up, then there is an

active fluorochemical present.



Whenever testing for the presence of the acid dye

blocker, you should again cut a couple of fibers

from a non traffic area, then immerse the fibers

in a red kool-aid mixture and wait for 5 minutes

or so. Remove the fiber from the liquid and

flush with neutral detergent solution. If the

acid blockers are present and active, there will

be no discoloration.



Polyester

The fiber of polyester was first introduced into

the garment industry around in the 1950s. By the

late 1960s, polyester was introduced into the

carpet industry as a face yarn. In hand, feel,

and appearance it is similar to nylon, although

it doesn't possess that same resiliency.



Polyester doesn't absorb water based spills, isn't

affected by urine or kool-aid, but it will

absorb oil based spills. Polyester is non allergenic

and mildew resistant.



Acrylic/modacrylic

Both of these fibers were first used as carpet

yarns around the late 1940s. They disappeared

around 1988 due to the competition from other fibers.

In was reintroduced to the market around 1990

in Berber styling.



This was done so that people could take advantage

of the wool like appearance, hand feel, and the

fact that its more spot resistant, much easier to

clean, and not damaged in the ways that wool is.



Olefin

Olefin is the latest of the synthetic fibers to

be adopted to carpets. Once only available in

continous filament, it is now produced in staple

form as well. Olefin has a wide variety of uses

that include primary and secondary backing of

tufted carpets, warp yarns, and other uses as well.

Steam Carpet Cleaning

The process of steam cleaning your carpet involves

hot water being fed to a spray extraction tool or

wand, coupled to a pump vacuum power unit. The

cleaning solution is injected under pressure deep

into the carpet through water jet nozzles.



The water will then penetrate the fiber all the way

down to the backing. This action will loosen any

embedded soil, remove oil and grease deposits, and

get your carpet cleaner than it has ever been.



There are many types and makes of steam carpet

cleaners available on the market, ranging from small

portables to the large and very powerful truck

mounted units. The principle is the same no matter

what model you pick.



The models that are truck mounted are designed so

that only the hose and the wand are taken into the

area being cleaned. These units are very powerful,

delivering hot water and generating a high vacuum

recovery that can be powered by diesel fuel, gas,

propane, or even by the motor of the truck.



Most carpet manufacturers, fiber producers, and

professional cleaners endorse this process for

achieving soil removal efficiency. With the present

state of art equipment and technology, we are more

than capable of high production and cleaning of

carpet.



The real disadvantage to steam carpet cleaning are

the problems that are associated with over wetting

and longer drying times. These can be eliminated

however, by a skilled operator who uses equipment

that is well maintained and in good overall

operating condition.



Currently, there are two methods being used with

steam carpet cleaning.

1. This method involves a traffic

lane cleaner being sprayed onto the traffic lanes

and then agitated into the fibers. The entire

area is then cleaned by using a hot water extractor

that has a cleaning solution being injected into

the fibers through the wand.

2. The second method involves a free

rinse emulsifying pre-spray being sprayed onto the

entire carpet, then agitated into the fibers.



Steam cleaning procedures

1. Prepare the equipment and supplies. In

a pump or power sprayer you should mix the free

rinsing pre-spray. In the solution tank of the

extractor, mix the rinsing agent.

2. If you have a lot of furniture to move,

make yourself a floor plan.

3. If the area being cleaned has furniture,

you should remove as much as possible.

4. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet. If the

pile is crushed or matted, use a pile brush to

loosen the soils which will make vacuuming more

effective.

5. Pre-spray a good amount of the pre-spray.

6. Using a grooming tool, agitate the pre

spray deep into the fibers then let it sit for 10 -

15 minutes, making sure that it doesn't dry out.

7. Extract the area using a portable, truck

mounted, or automatic carpet cleaner.

8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 until the

entire area has been cleaned.

9. Groom the cleaned area, replace all

furniture that was removed, then clean all equipment

Shopping For Carpet

Shopping for carpet is something that has never been

an easy task. To most people, it is more of a chore

than fun. For most people, shopping for carpet is

a dreaded experience that should be avoided at all

possible costs - although they aren't in this alone.



Once you realize that others feel the same way, its

time to go shopping. Frieze is an excellent choice

of carpet, one of the most popular types that you

can purchase even today. Frieze offers you a lot

of benefits without having to compromise anything.



The following are points that you'll want to consider

when you evaluate the durability of the carpet:

1. 75% twist

2. 15% fiber type

3. 10% density



Twist

The twist type of carpet has a spiral shape. It

is used via heat method that twists the yarn into

its permanent shape. The fibers can have up to

seven twists per yarn, as the more twists you have

the better. The result in the end is a rustic

knotted look that is very appealing.



Fiber type

Frieze carpets are normally made with high quality

nylon yarn. Nylon is one of the most popular

and most widely used fiber types for wall to wall

carpets.



Density

It is very interesting that several people use the

density of carpet as their primary factor in

judging quality.



As you may know, carpet can be too dense. The

denser a carpet is, the harder it will feel, as

the fibers are compacted. The fibers were meant

to wear on their sides rather than on the tops,

as they need their room to move.



To help you get a better idea of carpets and the

types that stand out, we'll take a look at several

of them below.



Gulistan

Gulistan is actually one of the top manufacturing

companies of frieze carpets. The company was a

trendsetter early on with innovate styles and a

very impressive selection of colors and easy

care. Even though the company is one of the

smallest in the world, it has proven it has what

it takes to compete, with it's high quality nylon

frieze that is popular even today.



Laura Ashley

The Laura Ashley company is a name that sports an

elegant English country look that continues to

grow and inspire. The company brings a lot to

the table, from impressive carpets to bed linens,

paint, and upholstery fabrics.



Beaulieu industries

This company licensed the Laura Ashley name and

premiered close to two dozen products, which

included a cool frieze carpet. The company has

been very successful with their carpets, managing

to compete for several years.



The bottom line

Anytime you shop for carpet, no matter what the

style may be, you should always know what you want

and how it will fit in with your home. Along with

frieze carpet, there are many other types such as

Berber, loops, high pile, and others that will add

quite a bit to your home. Your carpet is very

important, and therefore you shouldn't rush buying

it.



If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get

assistance from a professional, friend, or a member

of your family. Those that have experience with

carpet can be a great help when you purchase your

own, especially if you don't have a lot of

experience.



By getting help when you need it, researching, and

just taking your time, you'll have no problems at

all shopping for a carpet. Carpets can make or

break a home, which is why it is very important that

you know what you are buying before you make that

Selecting Carpet For Your Lifestyle

Whenever you select carpet, you have to consider many

aesthetic as well as technical areas. With well over

a hundred thousands styles and colors being released

every year, selecting the right carpet to match your

needs can be a very challenging task indeed.



Carpet is available in several different textures,

constructions, colors, and designs - which will open

the doors to virtually any interior design that you

can imagine. The combination of texture and color

will complement the look of both formal and casual

environments, while helping to bring continuity to

the overall room designs.



The most important thing to consider when you shop

for carpet is the amount of traffic that will be

on the carpet that is going to be installed as well

as the area you hope to use it in. The construction

and the texture are both key aspects when you

select a carpet for a specified area and use.



Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the mosty widely

used fibers with carpet manufacturing, with each

one displaying qualities that make themselves great

with specific applications and uses. Even though

nylon is the most expensive type of fiber, it is

also the softest and most resilient, which makes

it great for any room in your home, including those

areas that have a high level of traffic.



Polyester fabric is less resilient than nylon,

although it more cost efficient and offers a

high level of resistance to stains, which makes it

a great choice for areas such as bedrooms or dining

rooms that are not subjet to a lot of traffic.



The fiber olefin is solution dyed, which results

in a highly resistant stain carpet that can be

cleaned easily using a water and beach solution -

without any loss to the color.



Unlike the other types of fibers, olefin is fade,

mildew, and mold resistant, which results in a

carpet that performs well indoors and outdoors.

Keep in mind however, that olefin isn't very

resilient and as a result, it should only be

considered with berber construction.



You can get carpets in either plush or berber

construction. The berber type of carpets are well

constructed with a continuous level loop, while

plush carpets are constructed of loops that have

been sheared, which results in the strands standing

upright.



Berber construction carpets don't crush or matt,

due to their high level loops. They are however

harder underfoot, uncomfortable to sit on or lay

down on, and they can easily become damaged by

pets with long nails. Berber carpets are well

suited for high traffic areas, which include walk

ways, living rooms, and entrance areas. They aren't

popular with bedrooms, as their hard texture makes

them a less than attractive option.



The plush type carpets are much softer to walk or

lay on and they offer better sound and thermal

insulation. They tend to crush and matt though

when they are subjected to high levels of foot

traffic.



The use of nylon fiber paired with a tight low pile

construction will help to limit the amount of pile

and matt crushing, due to the high resilient nature

of the nylon fiber and the added support that is

gained from tight construction.



The warranties for carpet ranges from 5 - 30 years,

with the general rule being that you don't cover

the stairs. Most carpet warranties will require

the installation of new carpet padding as well at

the time of installation in order for the warranty

Right Carpet For Your Home

If you walk into any carpeting store, you'll find

yourself amazed at all of the choices that are there

for you to pick from. You'll find textured plush

carpets, saxony carpets, berber carpets, and even

commercial grade carpets. There are carpets that

can be installed wall to wall, and carpets that can

be cut to size with bound edges and carpet squares.



Your first consideration when purchasing a new carpet

should not be color, even though it is important.

Your first consideration should be how much traffic

you are going to have on the carpet. If you plan

to put carpet in the bedroom, then it won't have as

much traffic as carpet in the living room.



Stain resistance will also be important. This is

something to think about with any carpet, especially

carpet that is going to be used in a dining room

or play room area where there will be a stready

stream of food or possibilities for spills.



You'll also want to inquire about the rating of the

carpet as well. Indoor carpeting is normally rated

on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest

rating. Carpets with a 5 rating are considered the

best for heavy traffic areas. Rating of 4 are

considered outstanding and recommended for heavy

traffic areas of your home.



Ratings of 2.5 to 4 would provide normal durability

for your home. Carpets that rate 2.5 or lower

should only be used with light traffic areas, such

as bedrooms. Choosing carpet based on the type of

traffic it will receive can help you save a lot

of money down the road, although you should buy

carpet suited to your needs and requirements.



The highest quality of carpet you can buy is carpet

made of wool. Wool carpets are very expensive,

although you'll reap the benefits over years of

use as wool will easily out perform any man

made carpet. Two of the best benefits of wool

carpet include its natural soil resistance and

it's ability to retain appearance, meaning it

won't crush or wear down like other carpets.



The downside to wool carpet, is the fact that it

is out of reach for most of us. If you can't

afford to have woold carpet installed throughout

your entire house, then you should instead have

it installed in the room that receives the highest

amount of traffic.



There are several different man made carpets that

you can choose from as well. If you have a high

traffic area, then nylon would be an ideal choice

due to the durability. Nylon is stain resistant

as well, and repels mildew.



Carpets made of olefin is also a great choice for

high traffic areas as it is very strong and easy

to clean. Polyester is another good carpet as

it is easy to clean and repels water based stains.

Polyester is known for the look and feel of wool,

although it is much less expensive.



The color consideration is also important. Light

colored carpets create an effect of a larger

space, although they do tend to show stains more

easily. Dark carpets on the other hand tend to

absorb light, giving a room what many know as

the "cozy feeling".



When you find a carpet that appeals to you, you

should ask to take a piece of it home. Look at

it during natural daylight and at night under

an artificial light to see if the color changes

Removing Pet Stains

There are many different products available on the

market that will help you to remove almost all types

of stains. The ideal solution in minimizing or totally

removing stains is by simply cleaning the spills

and dirt the moment they crop up. Cleaning them up

won't even require you to leave your home just to

rush out and buy the expensive types of cleaning

products.



There are several ways to clean up stains simply by

using products already available in your home which

you use on a regular basis, such as detergents,

rubbing alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, etc. Its

simply a matter of knowing how to use these common

household products and the procedures involved to

clean up stains. Below, you'll find some tips on

how to clean up pet stains and some other types of

common carpet stains.



Pet stain

For your first option you can use one teaspoon of

clear, household type ammonia to a half cup of

cold water. You can use this solution in a spray

bottle or apply it to the carpet directly. It is

very important not to wet the carpets backing when

you apply the solution. After you have applied

the solution, use paper towels to blot then allow

it to dry completely.



For a second option, you can use detergent solution

made of hand soap or dish soap. The combination

is one quarter of a teaspoon detergent to one quart

of water. You should always make sure the soap

doesn't contain bleach or lanolin.



The third and best option, is to use water, it

can re-hydrate the stain to help with removal. Most

types of pet stains can be cleaned up by using a

steam cleaner. Once you have finished, be sure

to dry the area as thoroughly as possible.



Ink stains

1. You can purchase isopropyl rubbing

alcohol at your local department or grocery store.

2. You can apply it by pouring some onto a

clean white towel or cloth. You can use paper

towels as well, as long as they are white.

3. Blot the stain as much as possible

until it is removed.

4. Make sure you be careful, because if the

stain is small, you need to blot in one direction

only so you don't spread the stain.



Beer and wine stains

1. Mix a solution with one part white

vinegar and one part water.

2. Apply the mixture to the stain using a

spray bottle to saturate.

3. You should allow the stain to sit around

ten to fifteen minutes.

4. Use a sponge and clean in a rubbing

motion.

5. Rinse the area with warm water.

6. Brush the carpet pile back into the

natural direction it has.

7. By using layers of white paper towels,

place paper towels on top of the area, then something

with weight on the paper towels. Allow everything

time to sit like this until the area has dried.

Reasons To Buy Berber Carpet

Everyone hears about Berber carpet, and just how great

it can be. The carpet was named after a hand made

bulky wool that was textured and used by a tribe in

North Africa, the Berber tribe. The Berber carpet

that is used even today follows the same tradition

of the tribe by using flecked bulky yarns to create

a beautiful carpet.



Below, you'll find several reasons why you should

choice Berber carpet over all others.



The carpet is unique

The flecked looped yarns that are used to make Berber

carpets provide a very unique yet stylish carpet

that makes Berber easily to identify.



Choice in loop sizes

There are several loop sizes with Berber carpets,

so there is always going to be a size for any room

or decoration, from the large knobby loops to the

small and tight loops. There are several choices

as well, that include cut and loop designs, multiple

level loops, and even level loops.



Hypo allergenic

Berber is the ideal choice for anyone who has

allergis or younger children. The carpet is made

from wool so it's non toxic and non allergenic, and

it will stop bacterial growth on the spot.



Very comfortable

The manufacturing process that created the loops

of wool have millions of air pockets in them so

the carpet has a nice and cushioned feel when you

walk across it. It also offers an insulation factor

due to the weaving which helps to regulate the

temperature of the room as well.



Durability

Berber carpet is one of the most durable types and

also one of the easiest to clean. The stains are

easily lifted from the carpet and it takes a lot

of miles on the carpet before it will even begin to

show any signs of wear.



Berber is also well known for longevity, as it

always seems to look like it was installed yesterday.

It rarely ever shows footprints, and it doesn't

even show the lines from vacuuming. The only

thing you have to watch out for is snagging, as

you don't want to snag the loops and damage the

carpet.



Affordable

This is actually a mystery, as Berber is pure wool

and still cheaper than nylon, olefin, or any other

type of man made carpet, even though it outlasts

the rest and maintains a newer look over a longer

period of time. Berber is one of the most

affordable choices you can make and it still looks

richer than any other available choices.



Choices of colors

The color choices with Berber carpet are varied and

include earthen or neutral colors, dark colors,

and pastel colors as well. There are plenty of

colors to choose from as well as patterns. Berber

carpet offers more choices than any other carpet

type.



Hiding the sub floor

Because the density of Berber carpet is so thick,

you can easily hide anything wrong in the sub

floor without having to spend a lot of money having

the sub floor repaired of replaced. This helps

to make Berber carpet very cost efficient in

older homes that need to have the carpet redone.



Grade variety

Just like with other carpets, you can choose from

a variety of grades that will determine just how

plush the carpet is. Berber is available in

several different grades, even a product grade

that is designed to go on over top of concrete.



Besides the fact that Berber is one of the most

economical carpets to buy, it is also one of the

most economical to install. The carpet is easy

to lay, which will save you time and effort, making

it a truly excellent choice when it comes to

Picking Out A Carpet

Carpets are available in many different styles and

colors, although when you shop for your carpet, you

should try to buy the best quality carpet you can

get for the money. Even if you happen to be on a

very strict budget, you shouldn't skimp on your

carpeting or your carpet pad, as quality products

will tend to last longer, wear better, and even save

you quite a bit of money in the long run.



Almost all modern carpets are made from either nylon,

polyester, or olefin. Nylon is the strongest type

of material and also the most widely used. Even

though nylon will never wear down to the treads, it

can fade and get very scrubby in appearance. Buying

the proper padding for your carpet and having it

treated with a stain resistant treatment will help

to make it last a lot longer.



When you pick out a carpet, you need to know how

to tell if carpet is good enough quality. One easy

way to test is by looking at the density of the

carpet. This means the thickness and closeness of

the pile, or each specific strand of fiber.



The closer the fibers are to each other, the better

the overall quality will be. You should stick your

fingers into the rub or bend it to see if you can

feel or see the mesh. The less you feel or see,

the better the quality of the carpet. Another

factor with quality carpet is the twist level or

the number of twists in 1 inch length of fiber - as

the more twists you see, the better.



The density of the pile will affect how the carpet

will wear, while the cut of the pile will affect

how the carpet looks. A plush cut carpet looks like

a field of velvet with even color and it's great

for a formal look.



The saxony cut carpet has irregular cuts of pile,

and provides a great everyday look. Frieze is a

very nubby twisted pile, with a less formal look

although the wear it offers is very good.



When you buy carpet, you shouldn't ignore the

carpet pad. Along with going for the best quality

of carpet you can afford, you should also buy the

best quality of pad as well. The padding will cut

down on noise, and also help to act as a cushion

so it's very important - almost as important as

the carpet.



By taking your time and knowing what to look for,

you won't have any problems picking out your

next carpet. Quality and durability are the keys

to great carpet and pad, which is why you don't

want to rush this process.

Natural Fiber Carpet

Natural fibers used with carpet are produced either

by insects, animals, or even plants. The fibers

that are produced by insects or animals are known as

protein fibers. Those that are made by plants are

known as vegetable fibers. Vegetable and protein

fibers share the common disadvantage that they are

both very absorbent and will have extended drying

times when wet cleaned - which can lead to mildew,

shrinkage, and even dry rot.



Wool

Wool fiber is produced from the fleece of lambs or

sheep. Wool of carpet is imported from countries

such as England, Australia, and New Zealand. Wool

is the oldest and considered to be the finest of

all carpet material.



The ability of wool to stretch up to 40% of its

original length and the fact that it can be bent

back and forth more than 180,000 times without

breaking makes it very resilient. Wool is the most

expensive material for carpet, although it is also

the best you can buy.



Silk

The fiber of silk is produced by the larva of

various insects known as silk worms. The silk, in

continuous lengths from 300 to 1600 yards is spun

to produce the cocoons. As a fiber, silk is naturally

non flammable, strong, and not affected by static

charge problems - even at low humidity.



Cellulose fiber

This type of fiber is produced by plants and normally

not used as face yarns. These types will however,

show up as backing materials of tufted as as well

as carpets that have been woven.



Cotton

Cotton is a vegetable seed fiber that is produced

from the cotton plant. The primary use for this

fiber is yarns woven in carpet or rugs. Cotton is

resistant to alkaline solutions and becomes stronger

when it is wet.



The biggest disadvantages to cotton is the fact

that is the most absorbent of all fibers and requires

extended drying times after being wet cleaned. It

is also easily damaged by acids, stains easily,

mats down, soils quickly, and is subject to mildew,

dry rot, and shrinkage.



Jute

The fiber of jute is produced by the jute plant

which grows in South America, Pakistan, and even in

India. The stalk of the jute plant is where the

longer coarse fibers are obtained, located between

the outer bark and within the inner pulp.



Jute is normally used as weft yarns, across the

width, in woven carpets and as a backing material

in the construction of tufted carpets. Jute is an

inexpensive material that also serves other uses

than just carpet. Like all other fibers, this one

has disadvantages as well. The fiber is weak when

it becomes wet and is also subject to dry rot,

shrinkage, and mildew.



Sisal

The fiber of sisal is produced by the leaves of the

agave plant. Sisal is very strong and primarily

used for making rugs, sacking, rope, and even

carpet. The fiber stains easily and is also very

difficult to clean. Wet cleaning can also cause

shrinkage so its best to use low moisture methods.



Rayon

There is quite a bit of confusion about rayon and

it is easy to understand why. Rayon is a

synthetic fiber that is produced from natural

cellulosic fibers of wood pulp or cotton. The

material is put through several chemical treatments

which help to turn it into a synthetic fiber.



Primarily, rayon is used for area rugs because of

its silk like appearance. It can be damaged by

acids, has low resistance to abrasion and is also

prone to cellulose browning.

Kitchen Carpet Spill

A spill on the kitchen carpet can be anything from

a child's cup falling off the table to muddy footprints

around the room. Properly dealing with the kitchen

spill is what seperates the professionals from everyone

else.



With a little bit of common knowledge, many of the

spills that occur can be cleaned up and corrected fast

and easily. Knowing how to react to spills in the

kitchen are what makes things easier than ever.



The first thing to do, is use a bit of common sense.

Its important for you to take very quick action and

be smart about the first steps you take in cleaning

up your kitchen carpet spill. To put it in other

terms - don't let the spill sit.



The longer the spill or product sits on your carpet,

the deeper in it will go. A larger spill that has

time to seep into the carpet and into the padding

and reaches the floor boards is one type of spill

that will need extensive cleaning. Therefore, you'll

need to move quickly and effectively.



You can take different steps to remove spills from

your kitchen carpet. One thing that remains the

same throughout every spill you encounter is that

you shouldn't rub them. Most often, rubbing the

spill will rub them into the fibers of the carpet.

This will make them less likely to come off. Instead

of rubbing, you should consider blotting. Blotting

puts small amounts of pressure on the stain to

allow the cloth or paper towels to soak it up. This

doesn't work the stain deeper into the carpet.



As far as getting the spill out of the carpet, you

can use several methods. First, you should try

and remove as much debris from the floor as possible,

wiping as much as you can up. Then, there are

several routes that you can take.



If you own a carpet cleaner, this will be your

best option. Last, there are several products on

the market that you can use. This will help when

it comes to difficult spills. Unless you have

them on hand, waiting isn't an option. Spills in

the kitchen needs to be handled in a quick and

timely manner.



Since the kitchen spill happens in one of the most

used rooms of the home, you'll need to make sure

that you do a great job in cleaning it up. Because

spills can happen frequently, it is important

that you do a complete cleaning of the carpet on

a regular basis.



Even though kitchen carpet spills are nearly

impossible to prevent, you can protect yourself and

your carpet by knowing what to do. If you keep

your carpet clean, you'll have no problems cleaning

up spills as they occur.

Installing Carpet

A majority of how your interior looks and feels will

depend on your floors. Houses that have carpet

give off an undeniable warmth, vibrancy, and an

aesthetic appeal. There is a wide range of colors,

textures, materials, and designs available that can

transform your home and give every room a chance

to be unique. Your carpet installation has a long

term perspective, so it's important that you select

the best one for your needs and install it right the

first time.



Once you have picked out your material and design,

you'll need to it install it. Professional carpet

installers can do the job for you, or you can choose

to do it yourself. Even though doing it yourself

is cheaper than hiring a professional, it isn't

recommended if you don't have the right tools, lack

time, or have no experience.



A great way to ensure a professional installation

of your carpet is to buy from an authorized carpet

retailer or dealer. Most of the time, your carpet

retailer will have an installation staff that is

very experienced with installing carpet.



If the retailer doesn't offer an installation

service, they can still guide you to a reputable

and experienced installer. Even though installation

by a retailer is a bit more expensive, it offers

several advantages. The experience will show in

their work and you'll come out better in the long

run. You can also approach them if you aren't

satisfied with anything they have done.



However, if you are looking for low budget carpet

installation services, you'll also have the option

of hiring independent contractors, architects,

builders, or interior designers. You should

always remember to get their references and inquire

about their experience, where they received their

training, and any certification they may have.



You can also visit homes that the installer has

previously worked on, as this will give you an

idea of their work before you hire them. If it

isn't possible, you should at least make it a

point to see some pictures of their work.



Even though private contractors may offer a lower

rate for carpet installation than your retailer,

the services of post installation may be very

poor. If you encounter a problem, you'll find

that your options are limited. No matter what

happens, if you choose an independent carpet

installer, you should always make sure that the

installer follows the standard for installation

of residential carpet CRI 105.



Choosing the right installer for your carpet will

entirely depend on your specific needs. If you

like to change your carpet type every few years,

you may be better off to choose an independent

carpet installer. If you want carpet that will

last for a long time, you should get a follow up

from a retailer, as this will ensure that you

have a trouble free experience with installation.



No matter who you choose, you should ensure prior

to installation the carpet is power stretched

so wrinkling and rippling will be minimized.

It is also important that your rooms are

measured before laying any of them and the sub

floor has been cleaned.



You should also vacuum the old carpet good before

it is removed, to help eliminate dust. Once

the new carpet is down, the edges should be

trimmed and sealed with hardwood. You should

always inspect the carpet, and make sure that

nothing looks out of the ordinary and that

everything pleases you before you finish the

deal.



You should always keep in mind that no matter

how expensive or exotic your carpets may be, it

is the installation process that makes or breaks

the look of your home. Therefore, it pays off

to invest a bit of time, money, and effort when

you choose the right installer for your carpet.

How Carpet Is Made

The carpet that is made today is a mix of old world

craftsmanship and a touch of 21st century innovation.

By combining the two, carpet is able to become the

household feature that we all know and love - and

get tired of cleaning.



Carpet can be manufactured in one of two ways;

weaving or tufting. Carpets that are woven are

primarily wool and are very durable, and very

expensive as well. The woven carpet types can be

hand produced, as it has been for centuries, or by

machine. No matter what method is chosen, the same

procedures are followed.



The yarn for the carpet is woven through or around

vertical fibers known as warps, and then locked

into place with horizontal strands known as wefts.

The woven carpets can utilize a variety of colors

as well to create intricate patterns in the

highest quality of carpets.



Tufting machines can also be utilized as well, as

they use computers to determine the patterns, styles,

construction, and density. No longer does someone

have to do everything by hand or mentally, as the

tufting machines will take all of the guesswork out

and make things easy on the operator.



Once the fibers have been locked into place, the

carpet is dyed using a variety of methods that

will create patterns or effects. For cut pile

carpets, the final stage is stretched,

cutting the pile loops. This is an important

stage, as it will determine the softness and

feel of the carpet.



The carpet will also receive a secondary stretch

backing as well to give it stability and allow

it to be stretched during the installation

process. Most of the carpets of this day and

age will receive stain protection as well, which

happens during the manufacturing phase.



The way that a carpet is made will greatly affect

how the carpet is installed. In the past, the

creation of carpet was a very complicated

process, as there were no computers or technology

to do most of the work. Back then, it was all

done by hand. The carpets were great, although

there wasn't any colors or textures that we

have to choose from today.



The carpet manufacturers of today have a lot of

technology at their disposal, which makes life

at the plants easy. Operators can watch and

operate machines to do a lot of the work, which

makes their job a lot easier.



The continuous fibers found with carpet are heat

set and twisted at the mill to give a tightly

twisted product that is commonly found with

frieze carpets. This type of yarn is less

bulky although it will hold its shape for a long

period of time, which is great for those who

don't like to replace their carpet every couple

Dry Foam Carpet Cleaning

The dry foam procedure is mostly rather than dry as

the name infers, although the content of moisture

is so low that it can actually be referred to as dry

foam (90% air - 10% liquid). The dry foam machine

is equipped with a pressure tank, which you will

pour a solution of water and shampoo into.



A compressor will work to convert the solution into

foam which is then dispensed all over the carpet

using a revolving cylindrical brush. The brush will

work to comb the foam through the piles of the

carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet

is cleaned.



To achieve success, you must make sure that the

bubbles being produced are of uniformed size so the

foam can complete the cleaning process before it

is dispersed. Once it has dried, the carpet is

then thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals

of dirt that have been left behind.



Below, are the steps to the dry foam procedure:

1. First of all, vacuum the carpet and

remove all the stains that you possibly can.

2. Mix the dry foam solution according to

the directions of the manufacturer.

3. Shampoo the carpet then once it has dried,

vacuum the carpet.

4. Depending on the type of carpet you

have, groom the pile to speed the drying process.

5. Complete the work by using a furniture

leg pad or block to eliminate furniture stains

or rust.



Advantages

The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of

covering a lot of area in a very short amount of

time. There isn't really any danger involved in

saturating the carpet simply because the moisture

content is low. This will also help you to

minimize the problems that are commonly associated

with over wetting.



Disadvantages

The dry foam method is capable of removing average

levels of soil. There is however a possibility of

excessive residue and soil build up if the machine

you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.



Dry foam is the ideal method of choice if you have

older carpet if you want to get your carpet as clean

as possible. You can rent a machine at your local

department or carpet store if you don't think you'll

use it enough to buy it. They don't cost that

much to rent, which is great for those who just

want to give it a shot and see what happens.



Dry foam carpet cleaning isn't that hard to do,

as you'll be fine even if you have no experience

with these types of machines. The above information

will help you greatly, and if you follow it, you

shouldn't have any problems. Dry foam can make a

carpet look spectacular, as long as you follow

the manufacturers directions on mixing the dry

foam solution. Once you've finished cleaning your

carpet with dry foam, you'll probably find yourself

falling in love with the results.

Choosing The Right Carpet Cleaner

Choosing an effective carpet cleaner is easier said

than done. There are many carpet cleaning companies

out there, each one claiming to be the best. With

each one claiming to be the best, it can be very

hard deciding which one is the best for you. If

follow the tips below, you'll have no problems finding

your ideal carpet cleaner.



First of all, you should know what your choices are

in cleaning methods and you should also know which

one is the one you'll want to choose, as there are

several available to choose from. A dry extraction

type of cleaning will use a compound that contains

detergents what will free stains and dirt which will

then allow them to be vacuumed up.



Dry foam on the other hand may be used by applying

foam to the carpet and then vacuuming it up with a

wet vacuum. You can also choose a vacuum that uses

stronger chemicals and a stronger suction to get

dirt up. For your needs, you should choose the

vacuum accordingly.



Once you know your options, talk to family and

friends for their recommendations. There are several

places on the internet that offer reviews for

local as well as nationwide carpet cleaners.



You can also get estimates as well. Find out

what the professionals charge and what is considered

to be extra. You should also find out what

chemicals are going to be used, how long the

process will take, and whether or not they plan to

move any furniture.



You'll want to make sure that chemicals used are

going to be safe for you, your children, and

also your pets. If you are using a professional

company, you'll want to let them know what type of

carpet you have. If you don't let them know and

you have a type of carpet that will shrink or

change color during cleaning, you'll probably be

in trouble.



Probably the most important thing, is to know who

is coming to your home. You should always make

sure that you know the history of the carpet

cleaner as well as inquire if background checks

are performed by the company. These steps will

help to keep you and those you love safe.



Follow the above tips, and you'll have no problems

with finding the right carpet cleaner. There are

many types to choose from, as well as professional

cleaning companies.



If you are considering whether or not to use a

professional carpet cleaner, you should consider

the alternatives as well. First, spot removal

isn't the only necessary carpet cleaning that you

need to do, nor is the vacuuming.



Even home carpet cleaning machines won't do as

good of a job as a pro can do. When you use these

types of carpet cleaners, you can help to preserve

your carpeting for years and years to come.



Last, professional cleaning can help many people

who have allergies to feel better once they have

clean carpet. If you have allergies, a professional

cleaning may be the ideal way to solve just about

all of your carpet problems.



In a nutshell, it makes the most sense to have your

carpet professionally cleaned. It doesn't really

cost a lot of money, yet it will give you the

peace of mind in knowing that your carpet is very

clean.



If you've been looking to clean your carpet or

have it cleaned, professional is without a doubt

the way to go. You don't have to bother with it

yourself, yet you'll know that your carpet is going

to be cleaned right - by someone who knows exactly

Cheap Carpeting

When it comes to carpet for your home, you may want

carpet that you install yourself. There are ways

that you can carpet a room very cheaply, without

having to spend a lot of money. Carpet can get very

expensive in a hurry, which is why saving money is

so very important to those on a tight budget.



One very cheap way you can carpet a room is by using

carpet samples. This is actually considered new

carpet, as samples aren't considered to be used.



You can buy samples of carpet for .25 cents a piece

at closeout sales or at your local hardware or carpet

store. Depending on the size of the room you are

looking to carpet, how many samples you'll need

will vary. You'll also need staples as well, which

cost around a dollar or so. Most of the time,

you can expect to pay a dollar or so for each square

of carpet, which is still considered to be cheap

carpet.



Keep in mind that using samples or square is a very

unusual style and you have to think about the resale

value of your home. If you have a trailer or mobile

home, then the style is probably going to be unusual

and cheap to start with. If you have an expensive

or mid priced home, then you may decide to use

cheap carpeting in the basement, playroom, or in

a children's playhouse.



If you are doing a children's playroom, using

multi-colored carpet is perfect. It is very colorful

and if a spill stains one of the squares of carpet,

you can quickly and easily pull it back up and

install a new one. This is a great advantage to

doing a playroom this way.



Installing your cheap carpet

The only things you'll actually need when you

install carpet samples or squares in a room is a

carpet knife and a staple gun. The 5/8" staples

seem to work the best for squares and samples.



All you need to do is put the carpet peice in

place and staple in two or three staples along each

side. Make sure you wiggle the head of the

stapler down deep between the fibers, or between

the border and the fibers, so you can hide the

staples as much as possible.



If you are carpeting a basement floor, you can

use carpet tape instead of staples. With either

case, this is best to do when padding isn't that

important. You can use padding as well if you

don't mind the complications, although without it,

its pure simplicity.



You may also choose to lay out your pieces of

carpet first, then decide where each individual piece

will go. When you reach walls, heating sources, or

other obstacles, you can quickly and easily cut the

pieces to fit. If you happen to make a mistake, it

will cost you around a dollar, instead of costing

you a fortune. When you make a mistake, all you

have to do is start over a new piece of carpet.



Before you begin to put the carpet down, you should

always estimate how many pieces you will need,

and then call around to find a store that has

enough samples for the room.



Although the samples will range in size at different

stores, the average is 18 X 18 inches. If you

use pieces that are the same size, you'll find

things to be much easier. Even though you may be

paying a dollar a piece, it rounds out to less

than .50 cents per square foot to carpet your room

of choice - which is really cheap carpet!

Carpet Tiles

Anytime it involves your floors, you shouldn't limit

yourself to just carpet, but try the newer carpet

tiles instead. Carpet tiles are available in an

array of designs and a great choice of materials

as well. Bordered, geometric, contemporary, or

bamboo - will give your floors a complete makeover

and a great look as well.



When you go out to buy carpet tiles, you'll need

to think about where you plan to install them.

The tiles will vary in density as well as thickness.

Carpet tiles with more thickness have a cushion

so that it's soft on the surface, making them ideal

for homes. They will also provide a degree of

thermal insulation as well. The thinner types of

tiles are best for offices, gyms, and other high

traffic areas. All carpet tiles are easy to

maintain and will last you for a long time.



The tiles will come in a variety of materials and

patterns. If you choose, you can make your home

a greenhouse by using bamboo carpet tiles, or you

can choose terracotta carpet tiles that will

give your interior an earthly feel.



You may just want to liven things up a bit or

play down your floor, depending on the look you

are going for. Carpet tiles that are made from

foam, rubber, linoleum, and vinyl are best for

children's rooms, office spaces, or other high

traffic areas. The cost for the tiles will

depend on their thickness and density, which

means that the prices can range from 1$ per square

foot up to 40$ per square foot.



Tiles for carpet will offer you several advantages

when you compare them to wall to wall carpets.

They are easy to install and easy to transport,

as you can install them without having to move

any furniture! They are very durable as well,

and will last longer than most types of carpet

even when they are used in high traffic areas.



You can also unleash your creative side as well

with carpet tiles. You can mix and match

different tiles, or use a color for the border

and even create a distinctive look using

various patterns. Unlike wall to wall carpet,

you don't need any professional help in case

of tear, wear, or staining. If they become

torn or stained, just replace that tile with a

new one.



There are carpet tiles available to fit each

and every taste, even budget and furnishings style

as well. As they are less expensive, they will

offer you the chance to experiment with your

interior. Pretty much the same with carpets,

the installation of tiles is very important.



They must be installed on hard surfaces, such as

stone, cement, or ceramic tile. The surface has

to be smooth and clean, so the adhesives will

last and your floor will have a well finished

look. The carpet tiles will normally have cushion

or padding already installed, which will reduce

the cost and extend the life of the carpet.

Carpet Spot Removal

Anyone who has experience with carpet knows the types

of accidents that can happen. Carpet is very common

with most houses these days, making the risk for

accidents and spills higher than ever. No matter

what the spill may be, mud, blood, or milk - there

are ways to clean everything.



At your local department store or grocery store,

there are several products that you can pick up that

will work great. The only problem with these products

is the fact that they are normally very vague with

how you should use them.



The first thing you should know is that if you

have a red stain on your carpet, you shouldn't try

to get this out yourself, but instead leave it to

a pro. There are certain procedures and very

effective methods that your local carpet cleaning

company can do to save you from ruining your carpet.



Keep in mind that red is the toughest stain to get

out. A professional carpet cleaner is the way to

go, as he is properly trained and equipped to

handle them.



For everything else, there is always an effective

and cheap way to clean spots on both your carpet

and the upholstery. If you are only buying the

products that work for you, then you aren't paying

much attention to the label or the technique in

getting the stains out.



The first thing to do is go to your local Auto

Zone or auto parts store and pick up the auto

upholstery and carpet cleaner in the can. Tuff

Stuff is one of the best you can get. Almost

all cleaners that come in a can are foaming

cleaners, which will make your work a lot easier.



The foam in these canned cleaners will penetrate

the fibers upon contact and as it foams, it will

release and suspend the stains and soils. You

may need to lightly scrub the areas with a

towel or soft bristled brush.



To help you clean the spots, the tips below may

come in handy:

1. You should only use white rags or

towels when you clean carpet and upholstery to

reduce the risk of ruining colors or color

transfer.

2. You should use foaming cleaners to

clean your entire upholstery, even though it may

state to dry clean only.

3. You should always test your product

of choice first on a hidden area to save yourself

heartache and embarrassment in case things don't

turn out the way you hope.

4. If you need the help of a professional,

you shouldn't hesitate to contact one.



As long as you don't have a red stain in the

carpet, you shouldn't have any problems getting

it out. Stains and spots are a carpet's worst

enemy, which is why you should always get them

out as soon as you can - to prevent things from

Carpet Repair

How often you need to repair your carpet depends on

you. There are instances such as burns, crushing,

fading, furniture, bleeding, sprouting, and carpet

beetles where you'll want to take action. Most of

the time, you can finish a repair job without needing

a professional, although there will be times when

you will need professional assistance.



Burns

Burns occur when a cigarette butt or flame comes

in contact with the carpet. If the burn is small,

the burnt fibers of the carpet can be cut out with

scissors. If the burn is large, you'll need to

replace the area with a new piece of carpet. You

can do this yourself if you know how, or have an

installer do it.



Fuzzing

This occurs when loose fibers come out on the edges

of the carpet. To fix this, simply cut the fibers

that are sticking out.



Furniture marks

Heavy furniture can result in indentations being

left on the carpet. To get rid of these nasty

marks, you should sprinkle your carpet with some

club soda, place a towel over the area, then iron

it. Do this a couple of times and you will see

your carpet begin to re-fluff.



Shading, crushing, and matting

A lot of traffic on the surface of the carpet will

cause it to flatten, which may give some types of

carpet a shaded appearance. If this happens, you

should brush and vacuum the area. If you can't

fix the problem, you may need to hire a professional,

as this can sometimes be very tricky.



Shedding and snagging

Shedding is a problem of usage, as the fibers will

surface on the carpet. This isn't a defect in

manufacturing, but a normal problem. To fix it,

you'll need to vacuum the area. The snags on

the other hand are tufts that have pulled out of

the surface of the carpet. They will occur more

often with loop pile than cut pile carpets. You

should never pull them off, but instead cut them

off neatly with a pair of scissors.



Sprouting

A carpet is known to have sprouts only when there

are tufts on it, which are longer than the rest.

As pulling on them will only damage the carpet

more, you should trim them off with scissors and

level them down to the rest of the pile.



Static electricity

This depends on the carpet material, construction,

and padding. Humidity will play an important role

as the moisture in the air is absorbed by the

carpet fibers. A humidifier will help to retain

moisture, and you can also spray the surface of

the carpet with an anti static agent.



Carpet beetles

The best way to deal with carpet beetles is with

a strong vacuum suction. You should always avoid

spillage and keep the surface of the carpet clean

of food. The carpet beetles are quite annoying,

as they feed on wool, hair, hides, fur, grain,

seeds, and flour. If the carpet is infested bad,

you professional cleaner is the way to go.



Bleeding or crocking

Bleeding of the carpet is the loss or transfer

of the color from one section to another. Good

underlayments can help to prevent bleeding to

a certain degree. Crocking on the other hand is

the loss of the carpets color when it is rubbed.

To avoid this, simply avoid getting your carpet

wet.



A carpet installation job that is one right can

help you reduce your repair worries to quite

an amazing degree. You can always call a pro as

well, as their services will often end up being

much cheaper than if you were to go ahead and

replace the entire carpet.

Carpet Cleaning

Although vacuum cleaning can remove a majority of the

dry soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet

on a frequent basis to remove the oily, sticky soil

that builds up in the pile as a result of odors and

dirt that is tracked in from outside.



If you can clean the carpet before it becomes too

bad, the cleaning chore will be easier to do and a

lot more successful. There is a myth that is totally

false, which states that cleaning the carpet before

it is necessary will get it dirtier faster. The

carpet with the typical household should be cleaned

every 12 - 18 months depending on the number of

people living there and the amount of traffic that

walks on the carpet.



The choice of the right vacuum is important as

well. There are some vacuums that will leave

residues behind, which will promote re-soiling and

basically defeat the whole purpose of household

cleaning.



Professional carpet cleaners

It is in your best interest to use professional

cleaners simply because their experience will enable

them to do a much better job than you can do yourself.

The equipment they use has more extraction power

than the units available to you, and the carpet

will dry faster as well. They know the cleaning

agents to use, and they know the differences in

carpet construction and fibers.



Doing it yourself

If you have made the decision to rent a steam

cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you

should check on several systems before you make a

selection. Most of the units available for rent

don't clean well enough and may end up damaging

your carpet. Therefore, you should always consider

the following:

- Several rental companies offer cleaning

equipment that is similar to what the professionals

use. The equipment should have enough vacuum

power to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours

of cleaning. You should always avoid rental units

found in retail and grocery stores that don't

have the power to extract the cleaning solution

from the carpet fast enough, as it can actually

damage the carpet due to over wetting.

- Make sure you avoid over wetting the

carpet. Any prolonged dampness can lead to mildew

growth and bacteria in the carpet, or cause a

seperation of the backing. A wet carpet that stays

this way for longer than 24 hours can develop

problems. You can control this by using proper

equipment and the right training.

- Carpets that have stain resistant

treatments have to be cleaned with products that

are formulated for this very purpose, or the stain

resistance will be impaired and the warranty will

be voided. Never use cleaning or spotting solutions

that contain bleaches as they can mess up the color

of the carpet.

- Never use any silicone based treatments

on the carpet.

- You can help to reduce the drying time

by using several fans to move the air around the

carpet. You can use a dehumidifier as well, as

it will pull moisture from the air.



Hot water extraction

The hot water extraction system is highly recommended,

as it considered to be one of the best methods

for carpet cleaning. Also known as steam cleaning,

the process consists of spraying a mixture of water

and detergent into the pile and recovering the

water and soil with a powerful vacuum that puts it

into a holding tank. You can use a truck mounted

unit or a portable self contained unit as well. This

method is easily one of the best, and is ideal for

soiled carpets or pet stains that you have yet to

get out of the fibers.

Carpet Cleaning Tips

Tip 1

Make sure that you get a deep cleaning of the carpet

as often as it is needed. To achieve a clean carpet,

you'll need to have it cleaned by a professional or

you'll need to use a deep cleaning machine. There

are advantages and disadvantages to this method,

although a thorough cleaning is needed every six

months or so.



Tip 2

Keep your eye out for spills and take care of them

in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean. Simply

using water on a spill will help most of them. If

that doesn't work, simply expand your search. You'll

find several products out there on the market that

can help you get rid of spills quick.



The products range in use and can be helpful when

matching them with the different types of spills.

You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar to

help you keep stains out. By taking immediate action

you can prevent spills from becoming stains that

leave you with a dirty and messy carpet.



Tip 3

A clean carpet is a carpet that has been taken care

of very well. You should always take the time to

vacuum your carpet often and make sure you do a good

job. This means going over the floor in several

directions to allow the vaccum time to pick up all

it can. High quality vacuums are the best choice,

as they get up the most debris.



Tip 4

The proper use of entrance will greatly help to

clean off people's shoes and keep most of the

tracked soils off the surface of the carpet. You

should always use entrance mats outside of your

doors and make sure that anyone who enters your

home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off

of their shoes before they enter. You can also

take off your shoes and request that guests do the

same, prior to entering your home.



Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or

home are dry. The remaining 20% are greases, oils,

and starches. The dry soil types are easily

removed by vacuuming. As long as they are removed

on a daily basis, it will help to minimize the

damage to the carpet.



Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than

just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the

life of the carpet. If you have just laid the

carpet, you are already aware of the expenses

involved with doing so.



Even if you haven't had this done, you probably

know the benefits of keeping a clean carpet. A

clean carpet will add value to the home if it is

maintained well. It will also help to keep the

home free from odors as well. Also, it will help

to make a comfortable living area for your friends

Carpet Choices

When you select carpet for your home, you have many

things to consider and many different options to

weigh as well. Carpets come in many different colors

and styles, textures and fibers, and there are many

different qualities to choose from as well.



The two most popular choices of carpet today are the

loop pile and cut pile. Loop pile has individual

strands of yarn pulled through the backing of the

carpet twice, which creates a small loop.



The cut pile has the loop cut at the top, leaving

tufts of yarn that stand straight up. Cut pile is

normally more durable than looped pile. Cut piles

come in many styles, such as shag, textured, saxony,

and velvet. Loop pile choices include berber,

cable, or sisal. For high traffic areas, loop pile

is an excellent choice.



One of the factors with choosing your carpet is the

cost. Even though there is nothing more luxurious

than having wool carpeting in your home, most of us

can't afford wool. If you are able to afford wool

carpeting you'll find that even though it costs more

to install, it will prove to be far more superior

than any other type of carpeting. There is no man

made carpet fiber that come close to the durability,

rich look, or even the feel of wool - which can also

last for 30 years or more.



Acrylic carpeting is very similar to wool, and

sometimes referred to as man made wool. It is

resistant to moisture, fading, mildew, crushing, and

staining, although it isn't recommended for high

traffic areas.



Nylon carpeting is also popular, as it is recommended

for high traffic areas. Nylon is one of the most

expensive types of synthetic fibers, although it

is still cheaper than wool.



Olefin is a low cost carpet material, often used for

indoor or outdoor carpeting. Olefin is colorfast

and strong, very easy to clean. One of the draw

backs to olefin is that it can easily be crushed.



Another consideration you'll have is the color and

patterns of the carpet. Light carpeting colors

help to create a spacious effect, making the room

appear to be larger. Light color carpets will of

course, show much more soil than dark colors.



If you have pets around the house or little kids,

dark colors may be your best bet. There are many

different varieties of dark colors, which is great

for those interested in style. Dark colors are

ideal for stains or pets, as they don't show soiled

areas near as much as light colored carpets.



If you end up selecting light colors around pets or

little kids, you'll find yourself having to work

twice as hard to make stains less noticeable. It

would be easier and also smarter to select a dark

color and make it easier on yourself.

Benefits Of Carpet

In the past and even today, carpet is very popular

with home owners all across the U.S. Carpet is

the most practical, fashionable, and versatile

choice of flooring out there, as it also accounts

for more than half of all flooring purchases that

are made each and every year. The fact is, carpet

has outsold every other type of flooring for more

than 60 years.



Carpet offers you several advantages that other

flooring options can't compete with. Below, you

will find many of the features that carpet will

add to your home.



Warmth

Carpet is the best choice you can make for your

bedroom, family room, and other areas where you

need warmth underfoot.



Insulation

Both carpet and carpet padding will provide an

extra layer of much needed insulation between the

floors of your home. Depending on the density and

weight of the carpet, it contributes to the R-value

of your home, which adds to the energy efficiency

as well.



Safety

Carpet offers a slip resistant surface that will

prevent accidents along with a natural cushion

in the event of someone falling. For young

children and the elderly, this is very important.



Reduction in sound

Carpet will also reduce noise better than any

other type of flooring. Carpet works to dampen

noise in three ways:

1. Reduces surface noise from foot traffic

2. Absorbs airborne sound

3. Blocks transmission of sound

These qualities are valuable in apartments as well

as semi-detached homes.



Surface

Adding carpet to a room can also disguise any

existing damage to the floor and also hide any

other problems such as warped floors. The thicker

density the carpet is, the more problems it will

be able to hide.



Easy to care for

The carpets of today are more stain resistant

than they have ever been in the past, which makes

cleaning even the worst possible spills easier

than ever. No matter type of spill it may be,

there is always a way to clean it up.



Clean air

Research has proven that carpet can indeed improve

the quality of air by trapping allergy causing

dust and allergens if it is properly cleaned and

maintained.



Variety of use

Carpets aren't only for floors anymore, which is

a really great thing. You can easily add carpet

to steps, stairs, walls, posts, and other non

level surfaces, without having to worry about it

slipping, lifting, or buckling.



Flexibility

Carpet is the primary foundation in almost any

room. Because it is available in a variety of

different colors and textures, it helps to

create an unlimited number of possibilities for

decorating. From the neutral tones to rich

solids, carpet is the first step you can take

to make your home look better than ever.



Low cost

Carpet doesn't cost a lot of money, as it offers

an economical alternative to the other types of

expensive flooring. Even with professional

installation, you won't pay near as much as you

would for hard surfaces. Unlike hard surfaces,

carpet can keep you comfortable if you decide

to lay down on it.



Life span

The carpets of today are very durable and can

outlast most other types of flooring available on

the market. All you have to do is select a

type of carpet that has a life span of 5 - 30

years or more, which is very common now days.



Warranty

With most manufacturers, you can get great

warranties with your carpet purchase. This way,

you'll be protected when you install your new

carpet. Once installed, all you have to do is

enjoy it - as the warranty will ensure that you

are very well protected.

Antique Carpet

Antique type carpets help to add a touch of grandeur

and glamour to your home or office, speaking greatly

about your rich and extravagant tastes. Antique

carpets are beautiful home furnishings and solid

art investments. They aren't just decorative items,

but pieces of tradition, ethniticity, and true class

that dates back thousands of years.



Antique carpets represent enormous range in motifs

and color harmonies and you'll simply lose yourself

seeing the diverse combinations of rich antique

colors and heavy intricate weaving.



The diverse range of antique carpet pieces that you'll

encounter while shopping for them are mostly Oriental

carpets and rugs that portray the mystery and legend

of the far off lands of the Orient.



Antique carpets and rugs are imported mostly from China,

Persia, India, Afghanistan, Caucasus, and Turkey.

Some of the famous weaving areas of such antique carpets

include Kashan, Agra, and many other locations.



Antique carpets have a more artistic integrity, as

they are exclusively hand woven. They are sold all

over the world, with clients more than willing to pay

whatever they have to in order to redefine their home and

decorate in style.



If you are looking to add luster and glamour to your

home or office and are ready to spend a fortune on the

exquisite pieces of art, then you shouldn’t wait a single

minute.



The first thing to do, is contact one of the several

reliable, knowledgeable, and genuine art dealers

and galleries who deal in antique carpets and

have profound knowledge about the various aspects

of a good and genuine antique carpet. They can

guide you in selecting the best one per your

budget and tastes.



You've got a bit of work to do as well. You should

visit a lot of dealers and educate yourself

about dyes, wools, design quality, and the many

styles of weaving as well. Touch the carpet and

scrutinize them carefully. Beware of the machine

made synthetic carpets that some dealers will

tell you are antique carpets.



Below, are some tips to help you when buying

antique carpet.

1. You have to remain careful and thoughtful

while analyzing each piece of antique carpet.

2. You'll also need to try and understand

the age and origin of the carpet that will in

turn give you a much better insight about the

overall quality of the carpet.

3. You'll also need to look and see if

the edge and borders are there in the antique

carpet you intend to buy, as the end and edge

borders are sometimes lost or even cut out on

purpose. Keep in mind that the borders will

determine the overall value of your carpet.

4. Keep an eye out for holes and moth

attacks that are both common when dealing with

antique carpets. These problems must be attended

to before you buy the carpet.

5. You should always deal with dealers who

have the prices marked on the carpet. See to it

that your dealer sticks to that price.