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.