Carpet and Rugs - Quick Facts
There are many fibers currently being used to make carpet and rugs.
Each type has different values of look, feel, luster, cleanability, durability and overall life.
Please see individual product pages for more details.
Each type has different values of look, feel, luster, cleanability, durability and overall life.
Please see individual product pages for more details.
FIBER 1 = poor 10 = best |
LOOK |
FEEL |
LUSTER |
CLEAN- ABILITY 1 - 10 |
DURA-BILITY 1 - 10 |
OVERALL LIFE 1 - 10 |
FADING 1 - 10 |
SPOT CLEANING 1 - 10 |
VACUUM |
WOOL The Gold Standard |
Rich |
Soft |
Low |
8 Can absorb stains |
10 Except vacuum abrasion |
10 Wears with an elegance |
5 Direct sun will fade |
8 Good when done quickly |
Med. suction Soft bristle or no beater brush |
NYLON America's favorite carpet fiber |
Strong |
Coarse |
Med. to High |
10 |
10 |
7 Shows its age |
5- 10 Depends on dye method |
8 - 10 depends on dye method |
Up to highest suction Bristle/ beater bar |
POLYESTER (polysilk) |
Rich |
Soft |
High |
8 |
7 Can crush |
6 Shows its age |
6 - 10 Depends on dye method |
8 - 10 Depends on dye method |
Med. suction Soft bristle or no beater brush |
POLYPRO-PYLENE {Olefin} |
Bright |
Med Soft |
High |
10 Needs detergent cleaning to remove oils |
7 Can crush |
7 |
10 Color is built into the fiber |
10 |
Up to highest suction Bristle/ beater bar |
PLANT FIBER (jute, sisal, abaca, coir, seagrass, nettle) |
Rich |
Very coarse |
Low |
5 Dry cleaning only |
9 Brittle fiber can break loose |
7 Ages naturally |
6 Vegetable dyes |
6 Absorbs stains Dry clean or solvent |
Med. suction Soft bristle or no beater brush |
SILK |
Rich |
Soft |
High |
4 Dry cleaning only |
7 Can shed |
10 If well maintained |
6 Vegetable dyes |
8 Dry clean only |
Med. suction Soft bristle or no beater brush |
VISCOSE (Rayon, Tencel, faux silk, art silk, banana silk, bamboo silk) |
Rich |
Soft |
High |
4 Dry cleaning only |
5 |
5 |
6 - 8 Depends on the dyes used |
7 Dry clean only No rubbing |
Med. suction Soft bristle or no beater brush |
COTTON |
Rich |
Soft |
Low |
9 |
5 Fast fiber abrasion |
5 |
6 - 8 |
8 Very absorbent |
Med. suction Soft bristle or no beater brush |