Carpets

Everything to do with carpets. From buying, to cleaning, to installing, to learning how carpets are made. You have found the definitive guide to carpets right here.

Saturday, February 03, 2007


The dry foam procedure is mostly rather than dry as
the name infers, although the content of moisture
is so low that it can actually be referred to as dry
foam (90% air - 10% liquid). The dry foam machine
is equipped with a pressure tank, which you will
pour a solution of water and shampoo into.

A compressor will work to convert the solution into
foam which is then dispensed all over the carpet
using a revolving cylindrical brush. The brush will
work to comb the foam through the piles of the
carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet
is cleaned.

To achieve success, you must make sure that the
bubbles being produced are of uniformed size so the
foam can complete the cleaning process before it
is dispersed. Once it has dried, the carpet is
then thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals
of dirt that have been left behind.

Below, are the steps to the dry foam procedure:
1. First of all, vacuum the carpet and
remove all the stains that you possibly can.
2. Mix the dry foam solution according to
the directions of the manufacturer.
3. Shampoo the carpet then once it has dried,
vacuum the carpet.
4. Depending on the type of carpet you
have, groom the pile to speed the drying process.
5. Complete the work by using a furniture
leg pad or block to eliminate furniture stains
or rust.

Advantages
The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of
covering a lot of area in a very short amount of
time. There isn't really any danger involved in
saturating the carpet simply because the moisture
content is low. This will also help you to
minimize the problems that are commonly associated
with over wetting.

Disadvantages
The dry foam method is capable of removing average
levels of soil. There is however a possibility of
excessive residue and soil build up if the machine
you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.

Dry foam is the ideal method of choice if you have
older carpet if you want to get your carpet as clean
as possible. You can rent a machine at your local
department or carpet store if you don't think you'll
use it enough to buy it. They don't cost that
much to rent, which is great for those who just
want to give it a shot and see what happens.

Dry foam carpet cleaning isn't that hard to do,
as you'll be fine even if you have no experience
with these types of machines. The above information
will help you greatly, and if you follow it, you
shouldn't have any problems. Dry foam can make a
carpet look spectacular, as long as you follow
the manufacturers directions on mixing the dry
foam solution. Once you've finished cleaning your
carpet with dry foam, you'll probably find yourself
falling in love with the results.


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.

Friday, February 02, 2007


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.


Anyone who has experience with carpet knows the types
of accidents that can happen. Carpet is very common
with most houses these days, making the risk for
accidents and spills higher than ever. No matter
what the spill may be, mud, blood, or milk - there
are ways to clean everything.

At your local department store or grocery store,
there are several products that you can pick up that
will work great. The only problem with these products
is the fact that they are normally very vague with
how you should use them.

The first thing you should know is that if you
have a red stain on your carpet, you shouldn't try
to get this out yourself, but instead leave it to
a pro. There are certain procedures and very
effective methods that your local carpet cleaning
company can do to save you from ruining your carpet.

Keep in mind that red is the toughest stain to get
out. A professional carpet cleaner is the way to
go, as he is properly trained and equipped to
handle them.

For everything else, there is always an effective
and cheap way to clean spots on both your carpet
and the upholstery. If you are only buying the
products that work for you, then you aren't paying
much attention to the label or the technique in
getting the stains out.

The first thing to do is go to your local Auto
Zone or auto parts store and pick up the auto
upholstery and carpet cleaner in the can. Tuff
Stuff is one of the best you can get. Almost
all cleaners that come in a can are foaming
cleaners, which will make your work a lot easier.

The foam in these canned cleaners will penetrate
the fibers upon contact and as it foams, it will
release and suspend the stains and soils. You
may need to lightly scrub the areas with a
towel or soft bristled brush.

To help you clean the spots, the tips below may
come in handy:
1. You should only use white rags or
towels when you clean carpet and upholstery to
reduce the risk of ruining colors or color
transfer.
2. You should use foaming cleaners to
clean your entire upholstery, even though it may
state to dry clean only.
3. You should always test your product
of choice first on a hidden area to save yourself
heartache and embarrassment in case things don't
turn out the way you hope.
4. If you need the help of a professional,
you shouldn't hesitate to contact one.

As long as you don't have a red stain in the
carpet, you shouldn't have any problems getting
it out. Stains and spots are a carpet's worst
enemy, which is why you should always get them
out as soon as you can - to prevent things from
getting any worse.

Thursday, February 01, 2007


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.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007


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.


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.


Antique type carpets help to add a touch of grandeur
and glamour to your home or office, speaking greatly
about your rich and extravagant tastes. Antique
carpets are beautiful home furnishings and solid
art investments. They aren't just decorative items,
but pieces of tradition, ethniticity, and true class
that dates back thousands of years.

Antique carpets represent enormous range in motifs
and color harmonies and you'll simply lose yourself
seeing the diverse combinations of rich antique
colors and heavy intricate weaving.

The diverse range of antique carpet pieces that you'll
encounter while shopping for them are mostly Oriental
carpets and rugs that portray the mystery and legend
of the far off lands of the Orient.

Antique carpets and rugs are imported mostly from China,
Persia, India, Afghanistan, Caucasus, and Turkey.
Some of the famous weaving areas of such antique carpets
include Kashan, Agra, and many other locations.

Antique carpets have a more artistic integrity, as
they are exclusively hand woven. They are sold all
over the world, with clients more than willing to pay
whatever they have to in order to redefine their home and
decorate in style.

If you are looking to add luster and glamour to your
home or office and are ready to spend a fortune on the
exquisite pieces of art, then you shouldnt wait a single
minute.

The first thing to do, is contact one of the several
reliable, knowledgeable, and genuine art dealers
and galleries who deal in antique carpets and
have profound knowledge about the various aspects
of a good and genuine antique carpet. They can
guide you in selecting the best one per your
budget and tastes.

You've got a bit of work to do as well. You should
visit a lot of dealers and educate yourself
about dyes, wools, design quality, and the many
styles of weaving as well. Touch the carpet and
scrutinize them carefully. Beware of the machine
made synthetic carpets that some dealers will
tell you are antique carpets.

Below, are some tips to help you when buying
antique carpet.
1. You have to remain careful and thoughtful
while analyzing each piece of antique carpet.
2. You'll also need to try and understand
the age and origin of the carpet that will in
turn give you a much better insight about the
overall quality of the carpet.
3. You'll also need to look and see if
the edge and borders are there in the antique
carpet you intend to buy, as the end and edge
borders are sometimes lost or even cut out on
purpose. Keep in mind that the borders will
determine the overall value of your carpet.
4. Keep an eye out for holes and moth
attacks that are both common when dealing with
antique carpets. These problems must be attended
to before you buy the carpet.
5. You should always deal with dealers who
have the prices marked on the carpet. See to it
that your dealer sticks to that price.


The carpet that is made today is a mix of old world
craftsmanship and a touch of 21st century innovation.
By combining the two, carpet is able to become the
household feature that we all know and love - and
get tired of cleaning.

Carpet can be manufactured in one of two ways;
weaving or tufting. Carpets that are woven are
primarily wool and are very durable, and very
expensive as well. The woven carpet types can be
hand produced, as it has been for centuries, or by
machine. No matter what method is chosen, the same
procedures are followed.

The yarn for the carpet is woven through or around
vertical fibers known as warps, and then locked
into place with horizontal strands known as wefts.
The woven carpets can utilize a variety of colors
as well to create intricate patterns in the
highest quality of carpets.

Tufting machines can also be utilized as well, as
they use computers to determine the patterns, styles,
construction, and density. No longer does someone
have to do everything by hand or mentally, as the
tufting machines will take all of the guesswork out
and make things easy on the operator.

Once the fibers have been locked into place, the
carpet is dyed using a variety of methods that
will create patterns or effects. For cut pile
carpets, the final stage is stretched,
cutting the pile loops. This is an important
stage, as it will determine the softness and
feel of the carpet.

The carpet will also receive a secondary stretch
backing as well to give it stability and allow
it to be stretched during the installation
process. Most of the carpets of this day and
age will receive stain protection as well, which
happens during the manufacturing phase.

The way that a carpet is made will greatly affect
how the carpet is installed. In the past, the
creation of carpet was a very complicated
process, as there were no computers or technology
to do most of the work. Back then, it was all
done by hand. The carpets were great, although
there wasn't any colors or textures that we
have to choose from today.

The carpet manufacturers of today have a lot of
technology at their disposal, which makes life
at the plants easy. Operators can watch and
operate machines to do a lot of the work, which
makes their job a lot easier.

The continuous fibers found with carpet are heat
set and twisted at the mill to give a tightly
twisted product that is commonly found with
frieze carpets. This type of yarn is less
bulky although it will hold its shape for a long
period of time, which is great for those who
don't like to replace their carpet every couple
of years.


How often you need to repair your carpet depends on
you. There are instances such as burns, crushing,
fading, furniture, bleeding, sprouting, and carpet
beetles where you'll want to take action. Most of
the time, you can finish a repair job without needing
a professional, although there will be times when
you will need professional assistance.

Burns
Burns occur when a cigarette butt or flame comes
in contact with the carpet. If the burn is small,
the burnt fibers of the carpet can be cut out with
scissors. If the burn is large, you'll need to
replace the area with a new piece of carpet. You
can do this yourself if you know how, or have an
installer do it.

Fuzzing
This occurs when loose fibers come out on the edges
of the carpet. To fix this, simply cut the fibers
that are sticking out.

Furniture marks
Heavy furniture can result in indentations being
left on the carpet. To get rid of these nasty
marks, you should sprinkle your carpet with some
club soda, place a towel over the area, then iron
it. Do this a couple of times and you will see
your carpet begin to re-fluff.

Shading, crushing, and matting
A lot of traffic on the surface of the carpet will
cause it to flatten, which may give some types of
carpet a shaded appearance. If this happens, you
should brush and vacuum the area. If you can't
fix the problem, you may need to hire a professional,
as this can sometimes be very tricky.

Shedding and snagging
Shedding is a problem of usage, as the fibers will
surface on the carpet. This isn't a defect in
manufacturing, but a normal problem. To fix it,
you'll need to vacuum the area. The snags on
the other hand are tufts that have pulled out of
the surface of the carpet. They will occur more
often with loop pile than cut pile carpets. You
should never pull them off, but instead cut them
off neatly with a pair of scissors.

Sprouting
A carpet is known to have sprouts only when there
are tufts on it, which are longer than the rest.
As pulling on them will only damage the carpet
more, you should trim them off with scissors and
level them down to the rest of the pile.

Static electricity
This depends on the carpet material, construction,
and padding. Humidity will play an important role
as the moisture in the air is absorbed by the
carpet fibers. A humidifier will help to retain
moisture, and you can also spray the surface of
the carpet with an anti static agent.

Carpet beetles
The best way to deal with carpet beetles is with
a strong vacuum suction. You should always avoid
spillage and keep the surface of the carpet clean
of food. The carpet beetles are quite annoying,
as they feed on wool, hair, hides, fur, grain,
seeds, and flour. If the carpet is infested bad,
you professional cleaner is the way to go.

Bleeding or crocking
Bleeding of the carpet is the loss or transfer
of the color from one section to another. Good
underlayments can help to prevent bleeding to
a certain degree. Crocking on the other hand is
the loss of the carpets color when it is rubbed.
To avoid this, simply avoid getting your carpet
wet.

A carpet installation job that is one right can
help you reduce your repair worries to quite
an amazing degree. You can always call a pro as
well, as their services will often end up being
much cheaper than if you were to go ahead and
replace the entire 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.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007


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.


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.


When it comes to carpet for your home, you may want
carpet that you install yourself. There are ways
that you can carpet a room very cheaply, without
having to spend a lot of money. Carpet can get very
expensive in a hurry, which is why saving money is
so very important to those on a tight budget.

One very cheap way you can carpet a room is by using
carpet samples. This is actually considered new
carpet, as samples aren't considered to be used.

You can buy samples of carpet for .25 cents a piece
at closeout sales or at your local hardware or carpet
store. Depending on the size of the room you are
looking to carpet, how many samples you'll need
will vary. You'll also need staples as well, which
cost around a dollar or so. Most of the time,
you can expect to pay a dollar or so for each square
of carpet, which is still considered to be cheap
carpet.

Keep in mind that using samples or square is a very
unusual style and you have to think about the resale
value of your home. If you have a trailer or mobile
home, then the style is probably going to be unusual
and cheap to start with. If you have an expensive
or mid priced home, then you may decide to use
cheap carpeting in the basement, playroom, or in
a children's playhouse.

If you are doing a children's playroom, using
multi-colored carpet is perfect. It is very colorful
and if a spill stains one of the squares of carpet,
you can quickly and easily pull it back up and
install a new one. This is a great advantage to
doing a playroom this way.

Installing your cheap carpet
The only things you'll actually need when you
install carpet samples or squares in a room is a
carpet knife and a staple gun. The 5/8" staples
seem to work the best for squares and samples.

All you need to do is put the carpet peice in
place and staple in two or three staples along each
side. Make sure you wiggle the head of the
stapler down deep between the fibers, or between
the border and the fibers, so you can hide the
staples as much as possible.

If you are carpeting a basement floor, you can
use carpet tape instead of staples. With either
case, this is best to do when padding isn't that
important. You can use padding as well if you
don't mind the complications, although without it,
its pure simplicity.

You may also choose to lay out your pieces of
carpet first, then decide where each individual piece
will go. When you reach walls, heating sources, or
other obstacles, you can quickly and easily cut the
pieces to fit. If you happen to make a mistake, it
will cost you around a dollar, instead of costing
you a fortune. When you make a mistake, all you
have to do is start over a new piece of carpet.

Before you begin to put the carpet down, you should
always estimate how many pieces you will need,
and then call around to find a store that has
enough samples for the room.

Although the samples will range in size at different
stores, the average is 18 X 18 inches. If you
use pieces that are the same size, you'll find
things to be much easier. Even though you may be
paying a dollar a piece, it rounds out to less
than .50 cents per square foot to carpet your room
of choice - which is really cheap carpet!


The dry foam procedure is mostly rather than dry as
the name infers, although the content of moisture
is so low that it can actually be referred to as dry
foam (90% air - 10% liquid). The dry foam machine
is equipped with a pressure tank, which you will
pour a solution of water and shampoo into.

A compressor will work to convert the solution into
foam which is then dispensed all over the carpet
using a revolving cylindrical brush. The brush will
work to comb the foam through the piles of the
carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet
is cleaned.

To achieve success, you must make sure that the
bubbles being produced are of uniformed size so the
foam can complete the cleaning process before it
is dispersed. Once it has dried, the carpet is
then thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals
of dirt that have been left behind.

Below, are the steps to the dry foam procedure:
1. First of all, vacuum the carpet and
remove all the stains that you possibly can.
2. Mix the dry foam solution according to
the directions of the manufacturer.
3. Shampoo the carpet then once it has dried,
vacuum the carpet.
4. Depending on the type of carpet you
have, groom the pile to speed the drying process.
5. Complete the work by using a furniture
leg pad or block to eliminate furniture stains
or rust.

Advantages
The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of
covering a lot of area in a very short amount of
time. There isn't really any danger involved in
saturating the carpet simply because the moisture
content is low. This will also help you to
minimize the problems that are commonly associated
with over wetting.

Disadvantages
The dry foam method is capable of removing average
levels of soil. There is however a possibility of
excessive residue and soil build up if the machine
you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.

Dry foam is the ideal method of choice if you have
older carpet if you want to get your carpet as clean
as possible. You can rent a machine at your local
department or carpet store if you don't think you'll
use it enough to buy it. They don't cost that
much to rent, which is great for those who just
want to give it a shot and see what happens.

Dry foam carpet cleaning isn't that hard to do,
as you'll be fine even if you have no experience
with these types of machines. The above information
will help you greatly, and if you follow it, you
shouldn't have any problems. Dry foam can make a
carpet look spectacular, as long as you follow
the manufacturers directions on mixing the dry
foam solution. Once you've finished cleaning your
carpet with dry foam, you'll probably find yourself
falling in love with the results.


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.


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.

Monday, January 29, 2007


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.

Sunday, January 28, 2007


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.


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 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.


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.