Carpet
A Description of Common Carpet Fibers
Nylon
Nylon is the most common of all carpet fibers, and its high durability makes it a popular choice for areas of the home that receive high foot traffic. Resistant to most dirt, mildew and moisture, this fiber is also known its ease of maintenance and non-allergenic properties.
PET Polyester
This is an excellent fiber choice for the budget conscious. Polyester shares many of nylon's nonallergenic, moisture and wear resistant properties but lacks the same degree of durability.
Polypropylene
This fiber was first used in carpets designed for use outdoors and in spaces with high levels of moisture and humidity. Color-fastness, resilience, and resistance to water damage, mildew and piling are important benefits of this fiber. Polypropylene fiber is also recognized for a luxurious appearance and outstanding softness.
Fiber Performance in Carpet
| Nylon (filament) | Nylon (staple) | Olefin (filament) | PET Polyester (staple) | |
| Fiber Strength | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Appearance Retention | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | Fair |
| Stain Resistant* | Very Good | Very Good | Excellent | Very Good |
| Soil Resistant** | Very Good | Very Good | Fair | Good |
| Cleaning | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
| Available Colors | Excellent | Excellent | Fair | Very Good |
| Pilling & Fuzzing | Excellent | Fair | Very Good | Fair |
| Resistance to Household Cleaners | Very Good | Very Good | Excellent | Very Good |
* assuming nylon is treated with a stain resistant chemical. ** assuming treatment with a soil resistant chemical.
Fiber Types and Characteristics
| Fiber Type | Definition | Characteristics |
| Nylon | Fiber-forming substance of any long-chain, synthetic polyamide having recurring amide groups as an integral part of the polymer chain. First used in 1959 in carpet. Offered as BCF or staple. Used in residential and commercial applications. Produced as a solution-dyed fiber or white yarn to-be-dyed. Accounts for 65% of all face fibers in carpet. | Durable, resilient Abrasion-resistant. Versatile in coloration possibilities Favorably priced. Must be treated to be stain and soil resistant. |
| PET Polyester | Made from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. Offered primarily as a staple product, although some BCF in being produced. Used in residential and commercial applications. 100% of Mohawk's Staple Polyester is PET Polyester, manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. | Color clarity Colorfastness Resistant to water-soluble stains. Noted for luxurious "hand". |
| Polypropylene (Olefin) | Fiber-forming substance of any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85%, by weight, of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units. Offered primarily as BCF with some staple product available. Primarily sold as solution-dyed or pre-dyed fiber. Can be engineered for outdoor applications. | Resists fading. Inherently stain resistant. Limited color selection. Generates low levels of static electricity. Chemical, moisture, and stain resistant. Favorably priced. |
Green Carpeting
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It's amazing that one in every four plastic bottles recycled in North America become luxuriously soft Mohawk carpet.
Mohawk continuously seeks ways to recycle, reduce, reuse and renew. As a leader in flooring innovation, we recycle nearly three billion plastic bottles each year, and since 1999, we've recycled more than 17 billion bottles, keeping more than one billion pounds of plastic out of landfills.
Mohawk's everSTRANDT carpets, made using PET (polyethylene terephthalate) that is extruded from recycled plastic bottles, contain 100 percent post-consumer recycled content. Because plastic beverage bottles are made with top quality PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resins as required by the US Food & Drug Administration, the recycled product is superior to lower grades of synthetic fibers used in making other brands of carpet yarns.
PET bottles are sorted, ground into fine chips, and then cleaned. These chips are then melted and extruded into fiber and spun into carpet yarn. We control every aspect of the process and are able to provide the finest quality to meet the highest standards of performance.
And it doesn't end with the carpet - we actually recycle every part of the plastic bottles, including the cap, the label, and the bottle. The cap and the label are used to make carpet cores around which the carpet is wrapped. These are reused over and over again, unlike cardboard cores that would typically be discarded. The actual bottle is then used to make the PET carpet fiber.
Fun Fact: On average, 30 plastic bottles are recycled to make one square yard of Mohawk everSTRANDT carpet. (This number accounts for an average-sized bottle of water and average carpet weight; varies based on bottle size and carpet weight.)
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Carpet Selection
In selecting your color, take the time to look at large samples in your home, both by daylight and lamplight in the evening. The color you choose will look different under different lighting conditions.
Light colored carpets will show more soil and require more maintenance than dark colors. Darker colors of carpeting are more effective in high traffic areas. Multi-colors and patterned carpets are especially effective in hiding soil.
The performance and quality of a carpet is directly related to the amount and quality of fiber that goes into the pile. The better the fiber and the denser it is packed, the better the carpet will perform. Thin, less dense carpet will lose its surface appearance faster. It is best to buy the highest quality you can afford.
Stain Removal
Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will be to remove.
First scrape food spill gently with a spoon or dull knife, removing as much as possible.
Always work from outer edge of the stain towards the center to avoid spreading. Blot*, do not rub or scrub, as the carpet may fuzz.
When using a mild detergent, use a clear, non-bleach laundry detergent. Do not use cloudy detergents as they can leave a sticky residue. Use only 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water. Follow detergent cleaning with clear water rinsing and then blot dry as much as possible.
For any stain removal, use a white cloth or paper towel for cleanup.
Vacuum Regularly
Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet these gritty, sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet, but will enhance its appearance as well. Most soiling in carpet is of the dry, particle type which can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum high traffic lanes daily, medium to high traffic areas twice weekly, and the entire house at least once a week.
Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often and check the beater bars for burs and gouges so as not to damage the surface of the carpet. Some thick loop pile carpets will fuzz if a rotating brush vacuum is used. In this case we recommend a suction vacuum only.
Preventative Maintenance
The use of mats or runners at all home entrances and on uncarpeted areas adjacent to carpet will reduce soil and moisture in traffic areas. Clean mats and any other rugs placed over carpet regularly.
The use of furniture coasters to distribute the weight of heavy items is also recommended, especially for furniture with wheels. Take care when moving furniture with wheels by putting a protective barrier between the wheels and the carpet.
To extend the beauty of your carpeting, close drapes or blinds during hours of direct sunlight.
Exercise extreme caution with all bleaches, tile cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food. They are strong chemicals that can permanently discolor or dissolve carpet fibers.
Cleaning Recommendations
Even with regular vacuuming, soil particles and oily dirt will cling to the carpet fibers. With foot traffic these particles and oily dirt are driven deep into the carpet. We recommend professional hot water extraction every 18 to 24 months. Periodic cleaning, using the hot water extraction method performed by a professional cleaner, will refresh carpet appearance.
The most used areas, such as entrances, doorways, traffic lanes, and in front of chairs will collect dirt faster than other areas. Clean these areas as they begin to show soil. This will stop dirt from spreading, and will extend the time between professional cleaning.