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Carpets and rugs will get dirty, this is an inevitable fact of life. The good news is that the lifespan of a carpet can be improved significantly through quality maintenance procedures that include regular vacuuming and periodic professional ‘deep’ cleaning. It also helps considerably if the floor covering has been chosen with care to suit the particular environment it will be situated in. However, with the large and varied array of carpeting available on the market today it can be very confusing when trying to make a suitable choice. So, to help you understand the multitude of soft floor coverings available to you, and to guide you in assessing their suitability for your particular environment, we have compiled a list of the various fibre choices you may encounter when you decide to purchase a new carpet or rug. (NOTE: Man-made fibres can generally be more easily cleaned than natural fibres and many can be successfully wet cleaned. Xtremeclean ECO will choose the best method to suit your particular flooring). 1. POLYAMIDE (Nylon) AND ITS PROPERTIES • One of the strongest fibres in use today • Resists abrasion very well • Its strength is not really affected by moisture • Smooth surface makes it resistant to soiling, although it can become electrically charged by friction and this will attract soil particles • It is not attacked by micro-organisms • Can be weakened by prolonged exposure to sunlight • It is flammable • Can be professionally cleaned 2. POLYESTER AND ITS PROPERTIES • It has a high lustrous appearance • Fibres are extremely strong and resistant to abrasion • Fairly resistant to soiling • Water-based stains are not easily absorbed into the fibres and are therefore fairly easy to remove • The low moisture retention allows the fibres to become electrically charged which in turn will attract the soil particles • Oil and grease based stains are easily absorbed into the fibres and may prove difficult to remove • It is not attacked by micro-organisms • It is more resistant to sunlight than other fibres • It is flammable • Can be professionally cleaned 3. ACRYLIC AND ITS PROPERTIES • Not as strong as Nylon or Polyester but is stronger than wool • Acrylic fibres do not soil easily and any dirt is easily removed • The loose fabric construction allows more moisture absorption, which in turn helps to reduce the amount of soiling by electrostatic attraction to dirt • It is not attacked by micro-organisms • Very resistant to any weakening by sunlight • A very flammable fibre • Can be professionally cleaned 4. VISCOSE RAYON AND ITS PROPERTIES • Highly lustrous but may become less so with wear • Viscose Rayon fibres are not particularly strong and decrease in strength when wet • The fibres are very absorbent and take a long time to dry • The fibres are damaged by heat • Susceptible to mildew if left in a damp condition • Prolonged sunlight will weaken the fabric • Very flammable • Cheap to produce • Can be professionally cleaned 5. POLYPROPELENE (Olefin) AND ITS PROPERTIES • Popular on the domestic market • Hard wearing • Excellent stain resistance • Cleans easily • Will not shrink • Cheaply mass produced • Lightweight fibre • Low melting point • Not resistant to oil • Can be professionally cleaned Choose Xtremeclean ECO for all your carpet & upholstery cleaning needs.