Carpet Types and Characteristics

Full Disclosure Carpet Manufacturers Harmful Household Cleaners

Carpet ..... What a great invention! Have you ever had the pleasure of falling asleep on a soft piece of carpeting? How about the ability of carpet to set the 'mood' of a room? There is no doubt in my mind that carpeting, when chosen with patience and care can become an asset to a home.

Oooooooooops! Did I mention something about patience and choosing? Carpet shopping in the past required lots of patience, as it always seemed like the carpet showrooms were smoky and filled with mirrors. Your decision was often based upon look and feel. There was little crisp, definitive information available to assist you in making an informed purchase.

Trust

I am a firm believer in the philosophy that people make their buying decisions based upon trust. Sure, every now and then you might be attracted by low price. But, an informed buyer 'trusts' that an item will perform, suit his/her needs, last, etc. before handing over the money. Buying carpet should be no different, especially since the purchase may involve a large sum of money.

Give Me The Facts

Carpet buying is tough. Take the materials used to make carpet: nylon, polyester, olefin, and wool. Are all great fibers. Each has distinctive positive qualities. However, these fabrics can be made into a carpet that performs poorly. It can depend upon how the material is used to make the carpet and where the carpet will be used.

Different areas of your home receive different amounts of traffic. Bedrooms traditionally receive much less traffic than a family room. Certain carpets will perform well in each room. However, how do you determine what carpet and fiber will perform well without knowing the true facts about each piece and type of carpet?

Things You Should Know

To make an intelligent decision when purchasing carpet, you need to know about things such as carpet pile, fiber type, face weight of fibers (measured in ounces per square yard), fiber density (how many fibers in a given area), twist and tuft bind, and durability rating. Without comparing these features, you will be basing your carpet purchase on hope. That's a dangerous thing to do.

Fibers

We already talked about the four primary fibers used in carpeting. Nylon probably is the most widely used fiber in modern carpets. It is tough and resilient. Nylon is also very soil resistant.

Polyester fibers are the softest available. It accepts coloration very well, which explains why many vibrant colored carpets are made using polyester.

Olefin fibers is a very strong fiber. It is extremely stain resistant, as often the color dyes are actually heated and fused into the actual fiber.

Wool is a high cost natural fiber that accepts colors well. It stains more readily. Wool carpeting is considered by some people to be the most luxurious carpeting available.

Face Weight

Face weight is quite simple. It simply is a factual measurement of how many ounces of fiber are present in each square yard of carpet. For the most part, common sense tells you that the more weight, the more carpet you are receiving. Sub standard carpet manufacturers can 'fluff' a carpet to make it look like it has many ounces of fiber. The best way to measure is not look, but by actual weight.

Fiber Density

Density is simply a measurement of how close one fiber is next to another fiber. Think of a balding person like me. The density of my hair is not remotely close to what it was 15 years ago. My wife constantly reminds me of this every time she cuts my hair! The greater the density, the better, as your carpet should withstand a greater amount of abuse.

Twist / Tuft Bind

If you look very closely at a carpet, you will notice that the fibers are twisted. Some carpet fibers are twisted more than others. This twist is usually measured by seeing how many times in 1 inch the fiber makes a full 360 degree turn. Four or more twists per inch is good.

Tuft bind is a measurement used for carpets that are loop pile carpets. These carpets take the fibers and tie them into the backing of the carpet. You walk on the tops of the loops. Well, if the fibers aren't tightly tied into the backing, they will pull out, similar to a snag in a piece of fabric. So, look for a carpet that has the highest tuft bind strength, especially if you have animals with claws!

Durability

"How long do you think this carpet will last in my house?" How many millions of times do you think this question has been asked in carpet showrooms? How could it be definitively answered? In all fairness to carpet salespeople, they can't predict, or know, how you will treat your carpet.

But, what if a carpet is subjected to an actual wear test where real humanoids walk on the carpet? Believe it or not this happens! My guess is that there are no mall walkers to contend with in Dalton, Georgia, as they are all getting paid to walk on carpets in test centers.

What happens is that a carpet sample is put down and subjected to exactly 20,000 steps (who counts???). Then the walked on carpet is compared to an identical piece of the same carpet which was not walked on. The examiners look at shedding, matting, crushing, and overall appearance. After these things are measured according to industry standards, a rating is assigned. The rating scale is from 1 to 5, 5 being perfect. As you might imagine, no carpet made yet has received a 5. If that happens, that carpet company will go out of business, the same as the company that made light bulbs that lasted 50 years (there actually was such a company!).

Seriously, no carpet, after 20,000 steps, will look exactly like a piece not walked on. That's why a 5 rating is impossible.

Carpets that are rated 2.5 and above should provide normal durability, while carpets rated at 4.5 or higher can have tanks driven across them. 🙂

Padding

Padding is very much misunderstood. Many people think that thicker is better. No way! A thin, firm pad is the best. In fact, manufacturers have very strict guidelines with respect to padding. Never install a pad thicker than 7/16 of an inch.

Thick pads allow the backing of a carpet to flex too much. This can lead to product failure.

Carpet selection can be very easy when you look for a carpet that carefully measures all of the things we have talked about. If the information we discussed is not printed on the back of a carpet sample, keep shopping!

Full Disclosure Carpet Manufacturers

At the time of publication of this column, I could locate only one manufacturer who markets their products using a full disclosure policy. This has to be a first with respect to my columns, as normally I can list five or more manufacturers in a product class. My research indicated that many of the other major carpet companies are waiting to see if this method of selling will work. Can you believe that? What do you think? Don't you feel that you would be more willing to buy if you had the facts? My guess is that within 6 - 9 months the other carpet manufacturers will follow suit.

Shaw Industries, Inc. Dalton, Georgia 30722, 800-441-7429, www.shawfloors.com

Visit their web site or call them and ask for How to Make Sense Out of Carpet. It is a great pamphlet that will help you select carpet. You can also ask to be connected to Shaw's technical department in the event you need other literature or have specific questions concerning carpet. Good luck with your purchase!

Common Household Cleaners and Products that can Damage Carpeting

People often freak out when something is spilled on carpet. And well they should! Certain common household liquids can in fact harm a carpet. The worse thing you can do is try to clean a spill without knowing how or what to do.

You can obtain some fantastic carpet care literature from the Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org). Call them at 706-278-3176. Ask for two pamphlets in particular. Hopefully, they will send them to you at no charge. Ask for: Carpet and Rug Care Guide and Carpet Spot Removal Guide. Both of these are fine pamphlets that will come in handy one day. Additional information can be found on their web site. Check it out.

Harmful Products

Ever seen those horror movies where someone gets dumped into a vat of acid and dissolves? Well, neither have I, but I have heard about it. Strong acids can dissolve things, weak acids can also damage things but not always to the same extent. Many foods, drinks, and liquids contain acids. For example, citrus fruits and drinks contain citric acid. Vinegar is a weak acetic acid. Certain toilet bowl cleaners contain hydrochloric acid. The list goes on and on. Acids can hurt carpeting. They can alter the color of your carpet very quickly.

Medications also can contain harmful chemicals. Take acne medication as an example. Some acne products contain benzoyl peroxide. This chemical is the opposite of acid, as it is a strong oxidizing agent. It can destroy carpet dyes!

Common ordinary bleach can hurt your carpet. Most people would make this connection, as bleach 'whitens' clothes. Well, anyone who has used it on a new pair of jeans knows that it also rapidly removes color! Guess what has bleach in it? Most swimming pool water! Ever walked into a house with a dripping bathing suit? Hmmmmmmmm, bet you'll think twice about doing that again.

Insecticides contain chemicals that can actually alter the dyes in carpets and change your carpet colors. Has an extermination company ever sprayed your house for some insect? Think again before letting them spray the baseboards near your carpeting. If they must, make them sign a paper stating that they will replace your soon to be two toned carpet with the racing stripe!

Are you a plant lover like my wife? Do you ever fertilize your indoor plants? Better not spill that water or plant food onto your carpet! These drippings or spills can oxidize your carpet. You will have stains that are impossible to remove in most cases.

Do you use oven cleaner or drain cleaners? These products contain highly caustic chemicals that react just like acid does on your carpet. Watch out!

Urine from animals contains uric acid. Do I have to say more?

People or animals that get sick on carpet can cause huge problems. The regurgitated food is often accompanied by gastric juices from your stomach. Guess what is in that juice? Yep, you're right, hydrochloric acid. This is a strong acid that, in a different form, is sometimes used to clean bricks. Think of what it does to your carpet.

Removing Stains

I could write a book about removing carpet stains. But why? The Carpet and Rug Institute has done a great job! Besides, they are the experts. Call immediately and order the two pamphlets I spoke of. They are unbelievable and will come in handy.

A quick word of advice: Read the pamphlets when you get them. Do not wait until a spill happens! You need to act fast when a spill occurs. Time is of the essence. You will fumble through the pamphlet wasting valuable time.

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