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
carpet for your home.

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.

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.

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.

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
that you used.

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.

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.

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
and your family.

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.

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.

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.

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
at all.

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!

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
on into the 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.

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.

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
on into the 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.

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
that you used.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
on into the 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.

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
and your family.

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.

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
to become valid.

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.