Tag: pattern carpet

Home owners in the market for flooring think that carpet is not an option for their homes and four-legged friends, but with advancements in technology, pet-safe flooring has came a long ways. We show you how to choose pet-safe carpet.

When choosing the best flooring for your home, you don’t have to skip carpet. Both you and your pet can enjoy curling up on the softest flooring. There are several factors you must consider from construction to design. Here is what you’ll want to know when choosing pet-friendly carpeting.

Stain Resistance and Durability:

When shopping for pet-safe carpeting, stain resistance and durability are the most important features. With new advancements in manufacturing technology, carpet is tougher than ever. Two features you must consider when thinking of stain resistance and durability are carpet fiber and pile type.

Fiber:

As a pet owner, you have two primary choices of carpet fiber: nylon and polyester (PET). While polyester is typically more stain resistant, nylon is a good option thanks to manufacturers that treat fibers with safe chemical finishes that repel stains and liquids so they do not settle into the carpet fibers. Some brands worth looking at are Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpets, Shaw’s R2X-stain treated carpets and LifeGuard backing carpets, and PerPETual carpeting from Michael’s.

Pile Type:

Your second consideration as a pet-owner is pile type. Carpet is made with one of two main pile types: cut and looped. Stay away from looped piles as they get stuck on your pet’s nails and can cause pain for your pet or fraying and tearing of your carpet. Looped piles even prove an irresistible chew toy for some of our beloved pets! Sticking to cut pile carpets doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on style. You can still choose from trendy frieze, comfy plush types, or even beautiful cut-pile patterns.

Choosing the correct fibers and pile types along with regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure beautiful long-lasting carpet.

Backing:

Choosing the best carpet for your pet and yourself means selecting the best backing as well as the fibers and pile. It is imperative that you select a waterproof or gel backing for the best defense against any liquid messes. These types of backings hold up to hard scrubbing when those soils do occur. Waterproof and gel backings make carpet-life easier with pets.

Design:

Design may seem like a trivial consideration when choosing pet-safe carpet. However, savvy design can help keep your carpet looking newer for longer. Use colors and patterns strategically. Matching your carpet color to your pet’s coat can help hide fur between weekly vacuuming. Choosing a flecked frieze will help hide any mud your pet-pal may track in. Smart design will help obscure the small messes that accumulate between cleanings.

All in All:

There is no way around it, our beloved pets can be hard on flooring and having a pet means more cleaning. But loving a pet doesn’t mean you can’t have carpeting. Choose polyester or stain-treated nylon fibers combined with waterproof backings. Always stay away from looped pile carpets. And be smart with design! Factor these three things in with regular cleaning, and you can cuddle up on a soft floor with your pet for a lifetime. Now you know how to choose pet-friendly carpet flooring and can shop with confidence for your family and your four-legged friends.

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You have decided carpet is right for you. In order to keep your carpet fresh and in like-new condition, one must practice proper carpet care. Below, we cover four basic steps on how to clean and maintain your carpet.

PREVENTION:

Stop dirt at the door by using mats outside and small area rugs inside, taking your shoes off when you enter the home, and changing your air filters to reduce airborne dust particles.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE:

Vacuum weekly and for high-traffic areas, vacuum daily. Dust, dirt, and other debris find their way onto your carpet and can become embedded in the pile of the carpet. Over time this can affect the color and may also cause the carpet fibers to mat. Regular vacuuming will prevent an accumulation that could affect the long-term appearance of your carpet. Use a vacuum with beater bars and strong suction to help loosen dirt and other particles from the carpet so they may be more easily removed.

SPOT CLEANING:

When spills happen, it is important to remove the substance as quickly as possible. Fast action can prevent a stain. Keep a stain removal guide and stain removal kit handy for emergencies. When a spill occurs, first, scrape the spill using the edge of a spoon or similar utensil. Begin at the outer edge of the spot and move towards the center. Next, blot any excess liquid by applying pressure on the area with a clean, dry white cloth or paper towel. Do not attempt to rub the spot. Finally, wet a clean white cloth or paper towel with the cleaning solution you will be using. Use it to dampen the carpet but do not wet the carpet all the way through. If a cleaning solution is necessary, test it in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it is compatible with your carpet.

Stain Removal Kits:

You may purchase a carpet cleaning kit with specific cleaning solvents or you can use one of the homemade methods below:

• Detergent solution: one teaspoon non-bleach powder mixed with one cup water
• Ammonia solution: one tablespoon ammonia mixed with one cup water
• Vinegar solution: 1/3 cup vinegar mixed with 2/3 cup water
• Keep on hand absorbent white cloths or white paper towels!

Stain Removal Guide:

• Blood – water, blot, detergent, blot, ammonia, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot *use only cold ingredients
• Chocolate – detergent, blot, vinegar, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot
• Coffee – solvent, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot
• Excrement – detergent, blot, ammonia, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot
• Grease – solvent, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot
• Ink, permanent – detergent, blot, ammonia, blot, vinegar, blot, water, blot
• Soft Drinks – detergent, blot, vinegar, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot
• Urine, fresh – blot, water, blot, ammonia, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot
• Vomit – detergent, blot, ammonia, blot, vinegar, blot, water, blot
• Wine – detergent, blot, vinegar, blot, detergent, blot, water, blot

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING:

Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime. A professional cleaning service may use a number of methods including steam cleaning, bonnet cleaning, rotary shampoo, and dry foam.

TIPS:

After learning how to clean and maintain your carpet, there are still a couple tips that will increase the longevity of your product. Close blinds or curtains to limit direct sunlight on the carpet that can cause surfaces to fade. Move furniture in the room occasionally to give the carpet fibers a chance to recover. This may increase the life of the pile. Additionally, you can use floor protectors under the furniture to diminish the load on any one spot. For additional carpet and stain removal information, visit the Carpet and Rug Institute.

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The number one flooring choice in the United States is carpet. Carpet is one of the most affordable options on the market and is also the easiest to install and remove. With an endless array of colors, styles and textures, it is a great choice for any home or business. When choosing carpet, it is important to consider design, price, comfort, sustainability, and whether or not it is ideal for the location of installation. Taking a look at the pros and cons of carpet will help you decide if carpet flooring is right for you.

THE PROS OF CARPET:

Affordability

Carpet is the least expensive flooring option. While all products have a range of quality and price points, in general, carpet costs much less than hard surfaces. 

Decor

An endless variety of colors, styles, textures, and patterns mean you can easily integrate carpet into any decor.

Comfort

Softer and cozier than other types of flooring, carpet feels good against your skin and is more comfortable to walk and stand on. A soft surface underfoot reduces fatigue. Carpet softens falls, making it a good choice for homes with young children.

Warmth

An excellent insulator, carpet reduces heat loss creating a warmer environment and helping you to reduce your electric or gas bill. The thermal resistance of carpet means it will retain warmth during cold winters.

Noise Reduction

TVs, home surround sound systems, computers, and speaker phones have made our homes noisier than ever. Many people live in apartments or in neighborhoods with neighbors a few feet away. Carpet works as an effective sound barrier, creating a more relaxing environment.

Air Quality

Carpet acts as a passive air filter, trapping dust, and allergens, removing them from the air you breathe. New carpet is the lowest emitter of volatile organic compounds among available flooring choices. Properly cleaned and maintained carpet helps to reduce symptoms of allergies and asthma. Daily vacuuming and yearly carpet shampooing effectively remove dust and allergens from the carpet.

THE CONS OF CARPET:

Maintenance

The biggest con of carpet is that it requires more intensive cleaning than other types of flooring. Carpeting attracts dirt and traps stains. However, weekly cleaning with a CRI-approved vacuum effectively removes dust and allergens. Depending on the level of traffic your carpet experiences, annual or semi-annual carpet shampooing is required. Failure to properly clean the carpet will greatly reduce the durability and longevity of the product.

Lifespan

The lifespan of carpet hinges on a number of variables. Is the carpet being properly maintained? How much traffic does the carpet see? Do you have children or pets? The range of quality in carpet also makes a difference. No matter what, you can expect to replace carpet before you would need to replace a hard surface flooring in your home, rental, or business.

Installation Location

Whereas vinyl flooring can be installed nearly anywhere, installation location must be considered when installing carpet. Areas with high moisture or areas that could be exposed to water are not suitable for carpeting.

Value

New carpeting will not add much to home value, though it will absolutely make the home show better. If you are looking to increase property value, consider hardwood.

CONCLUSION:

Is carpet flooring right for you? Considering the pros and cons of carpet before making a purchase can eliminate potential future headaches. While hard surface flooring is rising in popularity, carpet is still a mainstay as the pros continue to outweigh the cons.

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