Choosing And Maintaining The Right Carpet

By Author: Janine Green
Total Articles: 4762
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The carpet your home has often presents the first impression of the decorating skills a homeowner possesses. Choosing the right one extends beyond color coordination and size.

The right carpet type in the right area prevents unexpected and unwanted results over time and presents the desired appearance. All types of carpeting start as loop carpeting, but changes to the loops, if any, determine into which of the four distinct categories the final product falls:

- Cut Pile: The most popular type of floor covering, cut pile carpeting is a textured material, created by cutting looped fibers that result in bundles of yard standing up like short blades of grass. Cut pile carpeting does not resist wear and tear well, however, and is not recommended for high traffic areas such as hallways, because the fibers are easily crushed. The advantage to cut pile carpeting surrounds damage and repair. Seams are easily hidden, so that only damaged sections need be replaced, not the entire carpet.

- Level Loop Pile: Berber is the most widely known type of level loop pile carpeting which ...
... is made by even loops of yarn woven into the backing material. Extremely durable, level loop pile is easy to clean and maintain, because the fibers resist crushing from high volume traffic. The closely placed loops also help resist deep absorption of liquids, which often cleans up quickly.

- Multi-Level Loop Pile: As its name implies, this carpeting encompasses more than one height of loop, generally two or three. The differing levels lend a more textured appearance and resists crushing, making it acceptable for high traffic areas, but the lower loops can often trap dirt as it falls through the higher loops. Vacuuming multi-level loop carpeting often extends the life and appearance of this versatile carpeting.

Protecting Your Carpeting Investment

After the purchase and installation, keeping your investment looking marvelous for years to come is often the next concern. How often you want to vacuum and shampoo your carpeting depends on the material used, traffic through the area, and the depth of the material.

As a general rule, the more traffic through an area, the more often it should be vacuumed. Dirt works its way down the pile and gets trapped in the fibers and builds up. Because dirt has sharp edges, dirt granules cut through fibers, and that destruction speeds up the wear of your carpeting. Using a vacuum that vibrates the carpet fibers as you vacuum help shake the dirt granules loose, so the machine can pick up the dirt and remove it.

When shampooing your carpeting, use as little water as possible. The more water that is used, the longer it will take to dry, and deeper carpeting can easily trap water and allow it to sit, risking molding and mildew. Also, try not to shampoo all areas of carpeting on the same day, allowing 'safe travel' areas within your house.

Choosing carpet for your home is an important decision. Knowing probable use patterns for each room and area of the home contributes greatly to your satisfaction. After it is installed, taking care of your investment will prolong its life and reduce home improvement costs for many years.
About Author:
Janine Green writes about different home improvement ideas and carpet trends out of Toronto. Always looking for the highest quality materials at the best prices, she tends to end up shopping at http://www.carpetone.ca more often than not.