Which carpets are easier to keep clean?
If you’re planning on getting carpet laid in your own home or a rental investment but you’re worried about permanent damage being caused, here are some tips on choosing the right carpet for limited cleaning, and durability.
Buying carpet generally involves a large financial investment, and with all the types and colours, you could find yourself quite confused very quickly. Because carpet usually comes with a heavy price tag, you want to make sure you are buying the right carpet for your needs.
Buying for a home where you have no pets or` children is much different to buying for a home where you do, or one where you intend to use as a rental investment property, as tenants can often be inconsiderate when it comes to other people’s belongings. Buying for yourself, if the children have left, opens up many options, and correct carpet choice can make a huge difference in the look, comfort and feel of your home.
Although carpets should be cleaned at least once a year, or more if there is a lot of foot traffic, there are a few ways to help you decide on a more durable easier to clean option when carpeting your home. Well maintained carpet should last at least ten years, but to preserve the new-carpet appearance, spills should be cleaned properly and you should vacuum it at least once or twice a week. Dirt is quite abrasive, and can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time if not vacuumed.
Carpet types and their characteristics:
Polypropylene is a synthetic based carpet type and is the most affordable carpet option. Although it feels coarser, wears faster and marks up more than other carpets it is still one of the best value for money types of carpet. If you go with Polypropylene carpet, a loop pile will be the better option, because it won’t compress as quickly as a cut pile carpet.
Nylon is fast becoming one of the most popular options when it comes to carpets because modern technical advances means synthetic materials are becoming more durable and stain resilient than ever. Because the colour is added to the product during creation in nylon based carpets, you can usually remove stains with a bleach-based cleaning product without ruining the colour. Because of its resilience, nylon carpet is well suited to areas such as hallways, and entry ways that get a lot of foot traffic.
Wool is a tough natural material with a lavish feel, fluid spills tend to run off it it repels dirt, but wool can’t be treated for stain resistance, so over time you will need to look out for pilling in lower-quality wool carpets. Hard wearing wool blend carpets are a better buy, because they are mixed with other hardy materials.
Blends of wool and nylon are a very popular choice. The reason that blends are more hard wearing is because each thread is woven into the backing rather than stitched, like tufted carpets. Most carpet blends range between 50/50 (which use less expensive wool and nylon) and 80/20 (wool/nylon). There are also a number of other new styles of carpet combining the two styles called cut and loop carpeting.
If you’re wondering what the difference between cut pile and loop pile is, here’s the basic run down:
Cut Pile: Cut pile carpets are manufactured by cutting the yarn loops which produces an upright pile that has a more luxurious, formal look than loop pile.
Loop Pile: Loops of yarn create a stylish finish with a soft, smooth feel and can have a range of distinctive patterns created by a combination of higher and lower loops.
If you’re spending money on new carpet, you definitely want to protect it, so here are a few tips to help you do just that. Buy the right kind of carpet for your needs and get the best quality you can afford. On day-to-day use, apply the correct cleaning method for your type of carpet as recommended by the manufacturer, and stop dirt at the door by having your family members remove their shoes before walking on the carpet. Most importantly; have your carpet regularly cleaned by professionals.