Carpet Cleaning London
Table of Contents
Semi Synthetic
These carpets are made from a mixture of natural and man-made materials so can share some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Read also: What’s the best way to clean a soaking wet carpet ?
Viscose Fabric
Viscose is another type of very soft fabric and it comes from pulp from trees such as the pine, beech and eucalyptus trees, or the bamboo plant. It is mainly used for making clothing and accessories but is also used in the manufacture of memory foam and for making rugs and carpets. Because pure natural viscose is extremely sensitive to water damage and losing it’s shape, when it being used to make carpets, it is often combined with other materials using an artificial method, which involves chemicals, making most viscose carpets semi-synthetic. They often have a silky look but can feel quite like cotton and these carpets have become very popular due to their remarkable appearance and are often woven into stunning patterns, shapes, drawings and even works of art – if you ever see a carpet or rug hanging on a wall, it is likely to have been made with at least part viscose. The main fabrics that viscose is mixed with are silk, cotton and wool and each give the viscose mixed carpet or rug a different vibe. Mixed with silk it becomes luxury and expensive, with cotton it is made into nice thick carpets which retain heat, and wool provides an extra comfort factor when combined with viscose. Each of these combinations of fabrics provide a long lasting carpet if looked after correctly. Any spillages on a viscose carpet or rug would need to be soaked up immediately or they could become long lasting stain, and it is not recommended to attempt to clean a viscose carpet without the help of a professional. When we are called to clean a viscose carpet here at Premium Clean, we prefer to use the dry cleaning method, but if we must steam clean then we always use our turbo dyers to dry the carpets quickly or they can dry with unevenly with patches on them. Viscose contains no allergens and is particularly great for allergy sufferers and children.
Check also: How can someone keep carpet clean with kids ?
Rayon Fabric
Rayon is also considered to be a semi-synthetic fibre and on the surface, can appear very similar to viscose but there are some subtle differences. They come from same origin – Rayon is made from purified cellulose fibres, also from tree pulp but chemicals are used to make it into the Rayon we use for carpets, rugs, upholstery and clothing that we use today. Rayon was first invented in the 1800s but became less and less commonly used due to all the new types of synthetic carpets that were coming out. In recent years it has seen a big rise in popularity and it is known for being very similar to cotton and has even been called ‘synthetic cotton’ in the past, until it was given the name of Rayon in the 1920s. Rayon is an absorbent fibre and is known for taking to dye very well, which means they comes in a range of fabulous colours, but absorbent fibres also absorb more of spillages so this is something to be careful of with. Rayon carpets must be well looked after, including regular vacuuming and annual dry cleaning or they can be prone to mould and mildew. The fibres also tend to shrink when they are wet so best to try and avoid any spillages or steam cleaning the carpet in London without the help of a professional.
Synthetic Carpets
This carpets made with manmade materials.
Read also: Can old dirty carpet be cleaned ?
Nylon Fabric
Nylon was invented in 1935 and was most commonly used for ladies stocking then but has since been found to be suitable for many more things and it has become the most common man-made fibre that there is. It has superb strength and is highly resilient and durable which means it does brilliantly for a carpet in high traffic areas, holding its original form because even when it is walked over thousands and thousands of times or compressed down by heavy furniture, the fibres bounce back to their original shape. It also means that the carpet should last a long time so it would be a good choice for a investment that will last. Nylon carpets need regular vacuuming to prevent any dirt becoming embedded deep into the carpet and a steam clean (which they usually respond very well to) once a year or so. They are generally a child friendly carpet but they can, however, be stained by grease and oil so be careful not to spill any of these substances on a Nylon carpet. Nylon carpets tend to be more expensive than other types of synthetic carpets but if you are willing to compromise on quality, you can find less expensive ones. They are not as soft but they come in a huge range of colours, patterns, styles and quality which makes them extremely popular. Unfortunately, they do also generate static electricity by walking on them with socks or shoes on and the static electricity then transfers to other nearby materials and can cause static hair or even the occasional static shock. These are harmless, but an unexpected buzz is never nice. Another disadvantage of a nylon carpet is that is does not retain heat so will feel cold on your feet in the winter, whereas a natural carpet would feel warmer.
Check also: Should You Steam Clean Your Carpets Yourself Or Hire A Pro ?
Acrylic Fabric
Acrylic is another transparent thermoplastic that it is made from polymers of acrylic acid or acrylates. It is often used to make paint, false nails, and windows so you may be surprised to hear that it can also make fabrics that are used for clothing and carpets. Acrylic carpets actually have properties and an appearance close to wool carpets so you can often find the two mixed together. They share some of the same advantages but do also have some major differences. Acrylic carpets have good strength and retain their shape quite well in their early life, although unfortunately, they do generally have a relatively low life span which on average can be around 5 or 6 years. They are hypoallergenic which means they will not cause any problems for allergy sufferers and they are considered safe for young children and pets and they are also resistant to mould and moisture which makes them even more safe. They can even be used in bathrooms due to their rare quality of mould and moisture resistance. Acrylic carpets are easily dyed so come in a wide range of colour and patterns which do not fade in sunlight, and they can also help to keep the heat in your house on a cold winter’s day. On the downside, acrylic is definitely not one of the most fire-resistant types of carpet unless it is specially treated at the time of manufacture, which we would always advise to double check before buying this type of carpet. They are also not stain resistant unless treated at the time of manufacture too so that is another thing to consider, as if spillages and stain are not looked after immediately they can end up being there forever due to the carpets high absorbency levels (which also means you are looking at a long drying time after a professional clean. Acrylic carpets usually come with a budget price tag due to their short life span and is used far more commonly for rugs than carpets but it can be a good inexpensive choice if you are not looking for a carpet that will last for years and years.
Read also: How can a carpet be effectively cleaned without using chemicals or potentially damaging machines ?
Polyester Fabric
Polyester is a popular choice for carpets and is also becoming a more common choice of material for upholstery too. One of the best things about polyester carpets are that they are (more often than not) made using from recycled materials! This makes them a good choice for anyone who is considering the environment, although they cannot normally be recycled after use, which is a shame, but they are definitely one of the more cheaper, eco-friendly options (Polyester does tend to be considerably less expensive than some other synthetic carpets). Considering their low price tag they are often smooth and comfortable but are available in a wide range of qualities. They also come in many different patterns and colours so you will be able to choose something that is a perfect fit for your home. Polyester has natural stain resistance, which can also be enhanced at the time of manufacture using a chemical treatment. This means that spills are easily mopped up and they do not usually seep as deep into the carpet and cause long lasting stain, making polyester carpets a good choice for parents and pet owners. The main disadvantage of a polyester carpet is that they crush easily, so if furniture is placed on the carpet and moved a later date, the carpet is unlikely to spring back to its original form. They are also not as durable and long lasting as other carpets and are definitely less ideal for high traffic areas but may be a good, inexpensive option for a bedroom or study.
